| Well thanks to my surgery I went from having an | | | | number of complications. |
| overactive thyroid which was a pain as I was always | | | | The following complications are due to low calcium |
| tired, to having Hypoparathyroidism which is about | | | | levels, and most may improve with adequate |
| 100% worse, thankfully I'd didn't realize the full | | | | treatment: |
| implications while in hospital or would have killed the | | | | A condition called tetany, which is characterized by |
| doctor. Currently my meds for the month fill a | | | | sensory symptoms consisting of paresthesias (odd, |
| checkers shopping bag and runs up to about R5000.00 | | | | tingling feelings) of your lips, tongue, fingers and feet; |
| a month ..... its loopy, I have to get a medic alert | | | | cramp-like spasms of your hands and fingers, which |
| bracelet as I can pass out. As its still early there still | | | | may be prolonged and painful; muscle discomfort; and |
| may be a slight chance of the Parathyroid glands | | | | twitches or spasms of the muscles of your face, |
| starting up again but does not look very promising, as I | | | | throat or arms. When these spasms occur in your |
| keep getting asked what Hypoparathyroidism is here | | | | throat, they could interfere with breathing, creating a |
| are the symptoms. I should have stuck to my gut feel | | | | possible emergency. |
| and kept postponing the op. | | | | Loss of consciousness, with convulsions (grand mal |
| Tingling or burning (paresthesias) in your fingertips, toes | | | | seizures). |
| and lips | | | | Malformation of the shape and size of the teeth. |
| Muscle aches or cramps affecting your legs, feet, | | | | Weak bones (osteoporosis). |
| abdomen or face | | | | Heart arrhythmias and fainting. |
| Twitching or spasms of your muscles, particularly | | | | Other complications are associated with |
| around your mouth, but also in your hands, arms and | | | | hypoparathyroidism, but will not improve with calcium |
| throat | | | | and vitamin D treatment: |
| Fatigue or weakness | | | | Stunted growth (short stature) |
| Painful menstruation | | | | Slow mental development (or mental retardation) in |
| Patchy hair loss, and thinning of your eyebrows | | | | children |
| Dry, course skin | | | | Cataracts |
| Malformation or splitting of your nails | | | | Don't let your surgeon convince you this is a routine op, |
| Anxiety or nervousness | | | | there are serious consequences if it goes wrong, find |
| Headaches | | | | a surgeon who does this op at least three times a |
| Depression, mood swings | | | | week every week. |
| People with hypoparathyroidism may develop any of a | | | | |