Parathyroid UK is the only patient organisation in the UK and Ireland which supports and campaigns for people with parathyroid disorders. These cause life threatening conditions that can affect all ages from newborns to the elderly. Raising funds for a small charity of a rare condition is difficult but with your kind support we can continue to make a difference in the lives of everyone living with these distressing conditions.

I am taking part in the 10k tough mudder on the 15th of July 2023 in Manchester and i would like to raise funds and make people aware of this rare, life impacting, life changing condition.

This condition is that rare that there is only a hand full of medical Professors that specialize in this condition. Normal Doctors and Endocrinologist have trouble understanding this rare condition and can not change any medication without the Professors say so.

My partner has Hypoparathyroidism, Hypothyroid and Hypocalcemia, in the past 7 year since we had our son , its had a big impact on her quality of life,.

Her calcium levels are not stable and she has to have repeated blood tests every two week to monitor her levels and to make changes in her long life medication.

Listed below are the symptoms she has on a daily bases, due her uncontrollable Calcium levels

Brittle hypoparathyroidism where levels remain constantly unstable. Symptoms may develop over time if ignored or unrecognised, or they may come on rapidly suddenly requiring urgent action to avoid a crisis.

Warning signs may be a drop in temperature, sensitivity to sound, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, diarrhea and gradually worsening muscle spasms.

Early symptoms of tetany may include:

Tingling or numbness in the hands and/or feet

Tingling or numbness in the face especially around the mouth

Irritability

Brain fog

Tiredness

Headache

Diarrhea

Twitching or trembly muscles

Sudden temperature drop

If not treated , more severe symptoms may develop and can include:

Increasing brain fog, feeling ‘out of it

Worsening tetany, feeling very trembly and vibrating inside (not visible)

Hard to function or move around

Carpopedal spasm (painful muscle spasms or cramps of the hands and feet)

Painful muscle spasms all over the body

High anxiety

Confusion

Severe muscle cramps

Seizures (this is rare)

Other symptoms may develop over time

Memory loss

Depression

Dry skin and itching, dry hair

Cataracts and eye problems

Dental problems

Kidney stones

Kidney failure

HIGH CALCIUM (hypercalcaemia)

Vitamin D and calcium treatment requires regular blood testing as calcium levels can fluctuate in response to many factors and medication occasionally needs to be adjusted. This can also involve a certain amount of guesswork as well. So people with Hypoparathyroidism can sometimes develop high calcium levels and you should be aware of the symptoms to look out for.

Early warning signs can include:

Extreme tiredness (fatigue) and lethargy

Feeling weak

Not wanting to eat much (anorexia)

Constipation

Loss of concentration and interest in doing things

Mild confusion

If the hypercalcaemia is not treated then the symptoms become much worse and can include

Feeling and being sick

Drowsiness

Passing large amounts of urine

Feeling very thirsty

Dehydration

Confusion

Agitation

Muscle spasms, tremors.

Bone pain and weakness

Irregular heart beat

Difficulty thinking and speaking clearly

As you can see this condition is not a pleasant condition to have if unstable, i just want to make people aware of this condition and how much help support Parathyroid UK give, i know times are hard so please donate any spare money you have to this increadible casue.

Thank you for reading and i hope you can support me in this challenge.