A patient with hyperparathyroidism may be at increased risk for shingles. Hypercalcemia can increase the irritability of peripheral nerves, which could stimulate the dormant virus.
Risk factors for the shingles:
(1) older age
(2) level of hypercalcemia
(3) severe illness
(4) immunosuppression including long-term use of corticosteroids
A patient with hyperparathyroidism and normal serum calcium has a rate of shingles similar to controls of the same age. With increasing hypercalcemia the risk of shingles increases.
Serum Calcium
Percent of Patients with Shingles
normal
1.5%
10.5 to 11.9 mg/dL
2.7 to 3.9%
12.0 to 12.9 mg/dL
5.9 to 6.5%
>= 13 mg/dL
11%
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