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.