treatment

Last reviewed 01/2018

Acute symptomatic hypocalcaemia requires urgent correction with intravenous calcium; oral calcium is rarely adequate to sustain normocalcaemia.

Permanent hypoparathyroidism and pseudohypoparathyroidism are treated with supraphysiological doses of vitamin D or one of its active metabolites; the metabolites are preferred since they have a relatively short half life and permit easier modification of the treatment regime.

Doses of 1.25-2.5 mg per day of vitamin D are required.

Maintenance doses of the metabolites are:

• 0.5 - 1.0 mcg per day 1,25 (OH)2 D
• 1.0 - 2.0 mcg per day 1 OH D

Supplementary calcium is only required if the diet provides less than 600 mg per day.