A Heart Attack that Led to a Rare Disease Diagnosis

When Patty Keating had her thyroid removed, she experienced what she described as a “buzzing in her face,” had trouble sleeping, and felt anxious. Her symptoms grew worse and she had trouble climbing stairs. Then, six months later, her heart started racing, and her husband rushed her to the hospital, where tests showed she was having a heart attack. But when doctors performed catheterization to clear a blockage, they found there was none. It was then that she was diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism. Hypoparathyroidism is often underdiagnosed and undertreated rare condition. While it can have a genetic cause, it can also result from surgery or injuries to the neck that damage the parathyroid glands. These glands are a group of four, pea-sized objects at the back of the thyroid that create a hormone that plays an essential role in regulating blood calcium levels. The absence or damage of these glands can cause a wide range of health problems. We spoke to Keating, executive director of the HypoPARAthyroidism Association, about her experience with the condition, why it can be challenging to diagnose, and the changing treatment landscape.