Parathyroid, adrenal & calcium

The parathyroid glands control calcium. Iron can make them underactive (hypoparathyroidism, seen in roughly 1–19% of patients), which lowers blood calcium and can cause tingling, cramps or muscle spasms. It’s checked with calcium and phosphate tests and treated with calcium and active vitamin D.

The adrenal glands make cortisol, a stress hormone. Blood tests sometimes show a “borderline” adrenal reserve, though obvious adrenal insufficiency is uncommon. Your team may check this, and — importantly — some people are advised to take extra steroid cover during a serious illness or surgery. Ask whether this applies to you.

Both are part of the routine endocrine monitoring, and both are very manageable once identified.