Could your hypoparathyroidism be genetic?
If you're living with hypoparathyroidism, a condition where the parathyroid glands in your neck don't make enough parathyroid hormone (PTH) to help control your calcium, you may be wondering why. When hypoparathyroidism isn't caused by surgery, it can sometimes point to an inherited cause called Autosomal Dominant Hypocalcemia Type 1 (ADH1). An Ambit Guide can connect you with no-cost genetic counseling and educational resources to help determine if you qualify for no-cost genetic testing.
See If You Qualify for No-Cost Genetic Counseling
Complete the questionnaire below if you or a loved one has unexplained hypoparathyroidism, a calcium problem that may be genetic, or a family history of genetic hypoparathyroidism, and you’d like to speak with an Ambit Guide to learn more about no-cost genetic counseling.
Meet Your Ambit Guide
Whether you were recently diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism or have been managing unexplained calcium instability for years, we're here to help you find out if there's a genetic explanation behind it.
By completing the short questionnaire, you will be paired with an Ambit Guide—a real person who will help determine if you are eligible for no-cost genetic counseling. This service is no-cost to use and designed around your needs, with no pressure or obligations.
About Chronic Non-Surgical Hypoparathyroidism (CNSHPT) and Autosomal Dominant Hypocalcemia Type 1 (ADH1)
Hypoparathyroidism occurs when your parathyroid glands don't produce enough parathyroid hormone (PTH)—the hormone your body makes to help regulate calcium in the blood. This can lead to low blood calcium, or hypocalcemia. Most cases happen after surgery, but about 20–25% occur without a surgical cause. Among these non-surgical cases, one possible reason is genetic.
We all have a gene called CASR (calcium-sensing receptor) which helps your body sense and manage calcium. In ADH1, a change in the CASR gene makes the body oversensitive to calcium. ADH1 is typically inherited from a parent, though it can also occur with no family history at all. Because ADH1 looks like other forms of hypoparathyroidism, you may have spent years living with symptoms that never fully made sense.
Genetic testing can help confirm whether ADH1 is the reason behind hypoparathyroidism that doesn't have a more common explanation.
Explore Hypoparathyroidism Topics
Learn about nonsurgical hypoparathyroidism, ADH1, genetic testing, and questions that may be worth discussing with your care team.