Endocrine Abstracts

Acute hypocalcaemia can be a serious and potentially fatal medical emergency while chronic hypocalcaemia may be debilitating and is often associated with reduced quality of life. The usual aetiology of hypocalcaemia is hypoparathyroidism which is sufficiently rare to be officially recognised as an ‘orphan’ condition. Other causes of hypocalcaemia include vitamin D deficiency and hypomagnesaemia secondary to proton pump inhibitor therapy. The relative rarity of hypoparathyroidism and its status as an orphan condition seem to be associated with frequent sub optimal management of this condition leading to significant morbidity in this patient group. Despite the availability of authoritative and well validated guidelines for managing both acute and chronic hypocalcaemia data continue to show poor outcomes. In this presentation, I will summarise the aetiology and physiology of hypocalcaemia, review current treatment guidelines for management of hypocalcaemia and focus on the patient perspective of living with hypocalcaemia in order to raise awareness of the condition and to emphasise the quality of life impact that it can have and the need for improved treatment. I will also promote the valuable role of the patient support group Parathyroid UK in supporting patients living with this condition.