Overview
Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism is a rare condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the parathyroid glands — four tiny glands in the neck that control calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. When these glands are damaged, they stop making enough parathyroid hormone (PTH), which leads to low calcium levels (a condition called hypocalcemia) and high phosphorus levels. This throws off the delicate balance your body needs to keep muscles, nerves, and bones working properly. The most common symptoms include muscle cramps, spasms, and a tingling or numbness feeling — especially in the hands, feet, and around the mouth. In more serious cases, people can have seizures or dangerous muscle spasms called tetany. Some people also experience anxiety, brain fog, fatigue, and mood changes because the brain is very sensitive to low calcium. This condition is sometimes called autoimmune parathyroid failure or immune-mediated hypoparathyroidism. It can occur on its own or as part of a broader autoimmune syndrome, most notably Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type 1 (APS-1), also known as APECED. Treatment focuses on replacing calcium and vitamin D to keep blood calcium levels in a safe range. Most people can manage their symptoms well with the right treatment, though lifelong monitoring is needed.
Key symptoms:
Muscle cramps or spasms, especially in the hands and feetTingling or numbness around the mouth, fingers, and toesSeizuresPainful muscle contractions called tetanyFatigue and low energyAnxiety, depression, or mood changesBrain fog or difficulty concentratingDry skin, brittle nails, and coarse hairCataracts (clouding of the eye lens) in long-standing casesAbnormal calcium deposits in the brain (basal ganglia calcifications)Heart rhythm problems in severe casesDental problems such as weak or poorly formed teeth
Clinical phenotype terms (38)— hover any for plain English
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism
No recent news articles for Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What calcium and vitamin D doses do I need, and how often should I adjust them?,Should I be tested for Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type 1 (APS-1) or other autoimmune conditions?,Am I a candidate for parathyroid hormone replacement therapy like Natpara?,How often do I need blood and urine tests, and what levels should I aim for?,What are the signs that my calcium is too low or too high, and when should I go to the emergency room?,How will this condition affect my kidneys long-term, and how can I protect them?,Are there any dietary changes or supplements I should avoid that could interfere with my treatment?
Common questions about Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism
What is Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism?
Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism is a rare condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the parathyroid glands — four tiny glands in the neck that control calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. When these glands are damaged, they stop making enough parathyroid hormone (PTH), which leads to low calcium levels (a condition called hypocalcemia) and high phosphorus levels. This throws off the delicate balance your body needs to keep muscles, nerves, and bones working properly. The most common symptoms include muscle cramps, spasms, and a tingling or numbness feeling — especially
Which specialists treat Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism?
3 specialists and care centers treating Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.