high prevalence of hypoparathyroidism in patients with beta-thalassemia major

introduction: hypoparathyroidism (hpt) is an irreversible but preventable disorder caused by an iron overload which can be considered a typical complication in patients with beta-thalassemia major. patients and method: parathyroid function was evaluated in 130 patients in qom, iran, who suffered from beta-thalassemia major. their serum ferritin levels were checked for monitoring of chelation therapy effects. results: the prevalence of hpt was 14.6% (19/130). the median age of patients with hpt was significantly higher than of patients without hpt (18 vs. 15 years; p=0.03). serum ferritin levels was not significantly different between the two groups (median: 2709 vs. 1512; p=0.95). the prevalence of cardiac diastolic dysfunction in patients with hpt was significantly higher than in normal thalassemic patients (3.1% vs. 15.8%, p=0.04). patients with hypoparathyroidism demonstrated abnormal glucose metabolism (0% vs. 15.8%; p=0.003). conclusion: the high prevalence of hypoparathyroidism demonstrated poor chelation therapy in these patients. close monitoring of ferritin level was recommended. also, the measurement of parathyroid hormone on a regular basis for all thalassemic patients was recommended.