Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX
Recommended initial investigations for diagnosing hypoparathyroidism in adults include:
- Measurement of serum calcium, specifically albumin-adjusted serum calcium, to identify hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels) which is a hallmark of hypoparathyroidism.
- Measurement of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels concurrently with calcium to confirm low or inappropriately normal PTH in the context of hypocalcaemia, which supports the diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism.
- Assessment of serum phosphate, as hypoparathyroidism typically presents with hyperphosphatemia (elevated phosphate levels).
- Measurement of serum magnesium, since hypomagnesemia can cause functional hypoparathyroidism and should be corrected.
- Vitamin D levels should be measured to exclude vitamin D deficiency as a cause of hypocalcaemia.
These tests are essential to differentiate hypoparathyroidism from other causes of hypocalcaemia and guide further management.