Travel Insurance for an Hypoparathyroidism

What is hypoparathyroidism?

Hypoparathyroidism is when the parathyroid glands in your neck don’t produce enough parathyroid hormone. That hormone controls how much calcium is in your blood, so without enough of it calcium drops and phosphate rises. We include it among our diabetes and hormonal conditions.

The usual cause is damage to the glands during surgery on the neck, often a thyroid operation. Less often it is autoimmune or something you’re born with. Low calcium can cause pins and needles around the mouth and in the fingers, muscle cramps and spasms, and tiredness. It may be temporary after surgery or lifelong. Treatment usually means calcium tablets and a special form of vitamin D, with regular blood tests to keep levels steady.

Why do I need to declare hypoparathyroidism for travel insurance?

Hypoparathyroidism is a long-term condition, so it would be considered pre-existing. It matters for your cover because calcium levels can drop suddenly, especially with vomiting, diarrhoea, or a missed dose, causing tingling, cramps or, in serious cases, seizures that need hospital treatment. A drop before you leave could also mean cancelling the trip. Where it hasn’t been declared, a claim related to low calcium could be refused or paid at a reduced level.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with hypoparathyroidism?

It’s usually possible. How stable your calcium levels have been is what matters most for whether cover can be offered. A recent hospital admission for low calcium, ongoing changes to your treatment or other conditions that came with your diagnosis, such as the cancer or thyroid problem that led to your surgery, are the sort of things that can influence the result.

What we’ll ask about your hypoparathyroidism

Our online screening is easy to follow, and you may only need to answer one or two questions about your condition. When you’ve declared this condition, carry on with any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

Finishing the medical declaration takes you through to the quote page. Provided your hypoparathyroidism and your other declared conditions can be covered, you’ll be presented with a list of quotes. The premium you see already includes cover for your medical, and if we cannot provide cover, you’ll know before going ahead.

If your health changes before travelling

Calcium levels can be hard to keep steady. If your calcium becomes harder to control, your treatment changes, you’re admitted to hospital, or you’re sent for new tests between now and departure, you must let us know. We may have to review your cover and refer your medical details to the underwriters, and sometimes we may not be able to proceed with cover. If changes in your medical go unreported, a future claim can be affected or denied.

What can hypoparathyroidism travel insurance cover?

When hypoparathyroidism is accepted, emergency medical treatment abroad connected to it can be covered. If a bout of sickness in Thailand stopped your tablets working and you needed calcium through a drip in hospital, that is the kind of claim the policy is there for. Repatriation can be covered if you need medical help to get home. All cover is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If you’re unwell before you leave and your doctor says you shouldn’t travel, cancellation cover may help you claim back non-refundable costs.

Routine blood tests abroad, planned treatment and anything linked to an undeclared condition aren’t covered.

Will hypoparathyroidism affect the cost of travel insurance?

Your screening answers decide whether hypoparathyroidism affects the premium, and if so by how much. Using online screening, you may be asked how the condition is treated and how well controlled your calcium levels are these days. Factors common to every traveller, such as age, destination and time away, are part of the picture too. You’ll have the price in front of you before buying.

Single trip or annual cover with hypoparathyroidism

A single trip policy covers one journey. If you’re planning more than one, annual multi-trip cover may be offered, depending on your screening result.

Travelling with hypoparathyroidism: practical tips

The advice here is general and doesn’t form part of your policy.

Pack all your supplements in your hand luggage with extra for delays. Calcium and activated vitamin D products vary between countries, and the exact one you take may be hard to find. Some people carry a small supply of fast-acting calcium for symptoms, if their doctor has recommended it.

Stomach upsets are a real nuisance with this condition, because vomiting and diarrhoea can stop your tablets being absorbed. Be careful with food and water hygiene, and know what to do if symptoms start. Your endocrinology team can give you a plan for this before you go.

On a longer trip, ask whether you’ll need a blood test while you’re away and how that can be arranged. A letter describing your condition and treatment is useful if you need to see a doctor abroad, as hypoparathyroidism is rare and some doctors won’t have dealt with it.

Hot weather and heavy sweating can affect how you feel, so drink regularly and take breaks. If your hypoparathyroidism followed surgery for an overactive thyroid or thyroid cancer, remember to declare that too. Our page on travelling abroad with medication has more tips on packing.

How to get a quote

Give us your trip details, go through the medical screening for hypoparathyroidism and anything else, and choose your cover. You’ll see the full price first.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Diabetes & Hormonal Pages

• Addison's Disease Travel Insurance
• Cushing's Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Diabetes Travel Insurance
• Hyperparathyroidism Travel Insurance
• Hypoparathyroidism Travel Insurance
• Low Blood Sugar Travel Insurance
• Menopause & HRT Travel Insurance
• Overactive Thyroid Travel Insurance
• Thyroiditis Travel Insurance
• Underactive Thyroid Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.