Aspects of hypoparathyroidism: late diagnosis and toxic effects of therapy.

Clinical aspects of two patients with hypoparathyroidism are presented. In a post-surgical case the diagnosis was delayed for 46 years yet few of the recognised complications of hypoparathyroidism occurred. A patient with primary hypoparathyroidism received toxic doses of vitamin D3 and developed paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. Later, when the serum calcium fell, he had an epileptic fit. Alternative forms of therapy of hypoparathyroidism and hypercalcaemia are discussed.