Key Takeaways
- The parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone (PTH).
- Symptoms are related to a low level of calcium and include:
- Blood tests will be done to check
- Your health care provider will recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements to maintain a proper blood calcium level.
- Low blood calcium in PHP is usually milder than in other forms of hypoparathyroidism, but the severity of symptoms can be different between different people.
To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.
Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a genetic disorder in which the body fails to respond to parathyroid hormone.
Understanding pseudohypoparathyroidism calcium pth resistance seniors is important for seniors and their caregivers. a related condition is
hypoparathyroidism
, in which the body does not make enough parathyroid hormone.
What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?
The parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH helps regulate calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels in the blood and is important for bone health.
If you have PHP, your body produces the right amount of PTH, but is resistant to its effect. This causes low blood calcium levels and high blood phosphate levels.
PHP is caused by abnormal genes. There are different types of PHP. All forms are rare and are usually diagnosed in childhood.
-
Type 1a is inherited in an
autosomal dominant manner
. That means only one parent needs to pass you the variant gene for you to have the condition. It is also called Albright hereditary osteodystrophy. The condition causes short stature, round face, obesity, developmental delay, and short hand bones. Symptoms depend on whether you inherit the gene from your mother or father.
- Type 1b involves resistance to PTH only in the kidneys. Less is known about type 1b than type 1a. Calcium in the blood is low, but there are none of the other characteristic features of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy.
- Type 2 also involves low blood calcium and high blood phosphate levels. People with this form do not have the physical traits common to people with Type 1a. The genetic abnormality that causes it is not known. It is different from Type 1b in how the kidney responds to high PTH levels.
What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?
Symptoms are related to a low level of calcium and include:
-
Cataracts
- Dental problems
- Numbness
-
Seizures
- Tetany (a collection of symptoms including muscle twitches and hand and foot cramps and muscle spasms)
People with Albright hereditary osteodystrophy may have the following symptoms:
- Calcium deposits under the skin
- Dimples that can replace knuckles on affected fingers
- Round face and short neck
- Short hand bones, especially the bone below the 4th finger
- Short height
📖 What Are Exams and Tests?
📖 How Is It Treated?
How Is It Treated?
Your health care provider will recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements to maintain a proper blood calcium level. If the blood phosphate level is high, you may need to follow a low-phosphorus diet or take medicines called phosphate binders (such as calcium carbonate or calcium acetate). Treatment is usually life-long.
📖 What Is Outlook (Prognosis)?
What Is Outlook (Prognosis)?
Low blood calcium in PHP is usually milder than in other forms of hypoparathyroidism, but the severity of symptoms can be different between different people.
📖 What Are Possible Complications?
📖 When to Contact a Medical Professional?
When to Contact a Medical Professional?
Contact your provider if you or your child have any symptoms of a low calcium level or pseudohypoparathyroidism.
Albright hereditary osteodystrophy; Types 1A and 1B pseudohypoparathyroidism; PHP
-
Endocrine glands
-
Parathyroid glands
Bastepe M, Juppner H. Pseudohypoparathyroidism, Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy, and progressive osseous heteroplasia: disorders caused by inactivating GNAS mutations that reduce Gsa activity. In: Robertson RP, ed.
DeGroot’s Endocrinology
. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 57.
Hanley PC, Doyle DA. Pseudohypoparathyroidism. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds.
Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics
. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 612.
Thakker RV. The parathyroid glands, hypercalcemia, and hypocalcemia. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds.
Goldman-Cecil Medicine
. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 227.
Updated by: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
-
Bone Diseases
-
Metabolic Disorders
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
Blood tests will be done to check
Your health care provider will recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements to maintain a proper blood calcium level. Low blood calcium in PHP is usually milder than in other forms of hypoparathyroidism, but the severity of symptoms can be different between different people.
What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?
What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?
Cataracts
Dental problems
Numbness
Seizures
Tetany (a collection of symptoms including muscle twitches and hand and foot cramps and muscle spasms)
People with Albright hereditary osteodystrophy may have the following symptoms:
Calcium deposits under the skin
Dimples that can replace knuckles on affected fingers
Round face and short neck
Short hand bones, especially the bone below the 4th finger
Short height
📖 What Are Exams and Tests?
What Are Exams and Tests?
calcium
,
phosphorus
, and
PTH
levels. You may also need urine tests. Other tests may include:
Genetic testing
Head MRI
or
CT scan of the brain
📖 How Is It Treated?
How Is It Treated?
About the Author: This article was researched and written by the SilverWell Hub editorial team. It was medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, MD, Geriatrics.
Sources: This article is adapted from MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. See our full Medical Disclaimer.
Published: July 24, 2026 | Next review: January 2027
