What is the most common cause of hypoparathyroidism?

The most common cause of hypoparathyroidism is indeed accidental excision during thyroidectomy. During thyroid surgery, especially when the thyroid gland is enlarged or has nodules, there is a risk of inadvertently damaging or removing the parathyroid glands, which are responsible for regulating calcium levels. This can lead to a deficiency of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and resultant hypoparathyroidism.

The context of why this is particularly relevant is that with the increased prevalence of thyroid surgeries, surgeons must be acutely aware of the potential for this complication. Effective surgical technique and identification of parathyroid glands during the procedure can significantly reduce the risk of hypoparathyroidism.

While congenital conditions such as DiGeorge syndrome can cause hypoparathyroidism, they are less common compared to surgical complications. Autoimmune diseases, while they can affect parathyroid function, also do not occur as frequently as accidental excision during surgery. Vitamin D deficiency primarily leads to low calcium levels but does not directly cause hypoparathyroidism itself, which is specifically related to the dysfunction of the parathyroid glands. Therefore, the link between surgical removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroid operations makes accidental excision the predominant cause in