Quality of Life Related to Different Treatment Protocols for Post-thyroidectomy Hypoparathyroidism

Comparing the Quality of Life Associated With Empiric Calcium Repletion and Parathormone (PTH) Based Calcium Repletion for Post Thyroidectomy Hypoparathyroidism

This study aims to compare two different protocols commonly used in the management of post thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism : PTH based calcium repletion and empiric repletion. The investigators aim to compare the quality of life associated with these two protocols in a randomized trial.

Enrolled patients will be randomized in two treatment groups. In group 1, all patients will receive calcium carbonate and calcitriol in the post-operative period, with standardized weaning. In group 2, patients will be prescribed calcium carbonate and calcitriol only if their post-operative PTH dosage is 25% or less of the pre-operative dosage, or if post-operative PTH is inferior to 15.

The Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire (French canadian version) will be used to assess quality of life pre-operatively and at post-op week 1 and 4. Symptoms of hypocalcemia and adverse effects of calcium carbonate and calcitriol will be monitored at week 1 and 4.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Total thyroidectomy or completion hemithyroidectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Need for neck dissection
• Unable to fill in questionnaires (intellectual deficit, severe psychiatric disorder, illiterate, does not speak French or English)