Executive Summary of the SEORL CCC-SEEN Consensus Document on Post-thyroidectomy Hypoparathyroidism

Hypoparathyroidism is the most common complication after total or completion thyroidectomy. It is defined as the presence of hypocalcemia accompanied by low or inappropriately normal parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Acute hypocalcemia is a potential lethal complication. Hypocalcemia treatment is based on endovenous or oral calcium supplements as well as oral calcitriol, depending on the severity of the symptoms. The risk of clinical hypocalcemia after bilateral thyroidectomy is considered very low if postoperative intact PTH decrease less than 80% with respect to preoperative levels. These patients could be discharged home without treatment, although this threshold may vary between institutions, and we recommend close surveillance in cases with increased risk (Graves disease, large goiters, reinterventions or evidence of parathyroid gland removal). Long-term treatment objectives are to control the symptoms and to keep serum calcium levels at the lower limit of the normal range, while preserving the calcium phosphate product and avoiding hypercalciuria.