Condition produced by greatly reduced function of the parathyroids possibly due to autoimmune disease or genetic factors, or by the removal of those bodies; lack of parathyroid hormone leads to a fall in plasma calcium level, which may result in increase neuromuscular excitability and ultimately tetany followed by a rise in plasma phosphate level.

Hypoparathyroidism is decreased function of the parathyroid glands with underproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH). This can lead to low levels of calcium in the blood, often causing cramping and twitching of muscles or tetany (involuntary muscle contraction), and several other symptoms...