Improving postthyroidectomy care using a parathyroid hormone and calcium-based algorithm
Authors' conclusion
Subject to assay availability and workflow efficiency, implementation of this protocol may reduce postthyroidectomy emergency consultations and readmissions, improving healthcare resource utilization and optimizing follow-up.
Study context
- Population
- Adults who underwent total/completion thyroidectomy, January 2014–April 2025, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen
- Participants
- 373 adults
- Exposure
- Postthyroidectomy parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium-based protocol vs historic cohort
- PPCn = 154
- Historicn = 219reference
- Outcome
- Unscheduled referrals due to hypocalcemia
- Follow-up
- Within 3 weeks after total thyroidectomy
Methodological detailsobservational, single-centre, historical control
- Observational
- Single-centre
- Historical control
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
within 3 weeks
P = 0.034
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Early postoperative PTH as predictor
- Predictor of unscheduled referrals
- P = 0.003
- Predictor of postoperative hypocalcemia
- P < 0.001
- Predictor of permanent hypoparathyroidism (PhP)
- P < 0.001
Postoperative PTH cutoff for PhP prediction
- PTH cutoff 1.7 pmol/L, sensitivity
- 100%
Original publication
Improving postthyroidectomy care using a parathyroid hormone and calcium-based algorithm. Eur J Endocrinol. Published 30 June 2026. doi:10.
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