Professor Xing Xiaoping: Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Specialist
Professor Xing Xiaoping is a senior endocrinologist, chief physician, professor, and doctoral supervisor at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). She has extensive experience in osteoporosis, metabolic bone disease, and disorders of the parathyroid glands.
Her clinical work focuses on identifying the underlying cause of abnormal bone density, fractures, calcium imbalance, and parathyroid dysfunction, particularly in patients with complex or uncommon endocrine conditions.
International patients can learn more about the hospital’s specialties, medical-record requirements, and appointment planning in our Peking Union Medical College Hospital international patient guide.
Clinical Specialties
Professor Xing’s principal clinical areas include:
- primary and secondary osteoporosis;
- metabolic bone disease;
- primary hyperparathyroidism;
- secondary hyperparathyroidism;
- hypoparathyroidism;
- abnormal calcium and phosphate metabolism;
- multiple endocrine neoplasia-related bone disease;
- unexplained low-trauma fractures; and
- complex endocrine causes of reduced bone strength.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis weakens bone and increases the risk of fracture, particularly in the spine, hip, wrist, and upper arm. It can develop without obvious symptoms until a fracture occurs.
A specialist assessment is especially important when osteoporosis occurs at a young age, bone density declines rapidly, fractures occur despite treatment, or laboratory results suggest an underlying endocrine or metabolic disorder.
Evaluation may include bone-density measurement, vertebral imaging, calcium and vitamin D testing, parathyroid and thyroid function, kidney and liver assessment, and review of medicines that affect bone. Treatment may involve nutrition, exercise, fall prevention, correction of secondary causes, and antiresorptive or bone-forming medication.
Secondary Osteoporosis
Low bone density may be caused or worsened by long-term corticosteroid treatment, endocrine disease, malabsorption, chronic kidney or liver disease, inflammatory illness, premature menopause, low body weight, or other conditions.
Identifying the cause matters because treating bone density alone may not adequately reduce fracture risk. Professor Xing’s work emphasizes systematic evaluation and individualized treatment rather than relying on a single bone-density score.
Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Primary hyperparathyroidism occurs when one or more parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone. This can lead to high blood calcium, kidney stones, bone loss, fractures, abdominal symptoms, fatigue, mood or cognitive changes, and other complications.
Professor Xing has helped develop standardized diagnostic pathways and Chinese clinical guidance for primary hyperparathyroidism. Diagnosis is based primarily on biochemical findings, while imaging is used to locate an abnormal gland when surgery is being considered.
Not every patient requires immediate surgery, but parathyroidectomy may be recommended when there are symptoms, significant calcium elevation, kidney involvement, reduced kidney function, osteoporosis, fracture, or other guideline-based indications. A specialist should also rule out conditions that can mimic primary hyperparathyroidism.
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism occurs when the parathyroid glands produce insufficient hormone. It may follow neck surgery or result from autoimmune, genetic, or other causes. Low calcium can cause tingling, cramps, muscle spasms, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm, or cognitive symptoms.
Long-term management may involve calcium, active vitamin D, magnesium correction, monitoring of urinary calcium, and assessment of kidney complications. Treatment requires careful balance because both low calcium and excessive supplementation can cause harm.
Rare and Hereditary Bone Disorders
Some patients have bone disease related to genetic syndromes or uncommon endocrine conditions. Professor Xing’s research includes bone involvement in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 and long-term clinical and genetic analysis of childhood primary hyperparathyroidism.
Genetic testing can be helpful in selected patients, especially when disease begins early, affects several glands, recurs after surgery, or occurs with other endocrine tumors. Test results should be interpreted together with clinical and family information.
Research and Academic Contributions
Professor Xing has contributed to research and clinical standardization in parathyroid disease and metabolic bone disorders. Her representative academic work includes:
- evaluation of trabecular bone score in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1-associated hyperparathyroidism;
- long-term clinical experience and genetic analysis of pediatric primary hyperparathyroidism; and
- development of standardized diagnostic pathways and clinical guidance for primary hyperparathyroidism.
Research findings can improve clinical assessment, but they do not determine treatment for an individual patient without a complete medical review.
Who May Consider a Consultation?
A consultation with Professor Xing or the PUMCH endocrinology team may be worth considering when a patient:
- has osteoporosis at an unusually young age;
- has repeated low-trauma fractures or fractures despite treatment;
- has high or low blood calcium without a clear explanation;
- has suspected primary hyperparathyroidism;
- has persistent symptoms after parathyroid or thyroid surgery;
- has hypoparathyroidism that is difficult to control;
- has a suspected hereditary endocrine syndrome; or
- needs a second opinion before parathyroid surgery or long-term osteoporosis treatment.
Medical Records to Prepare
International patients should prepare:
- a concise medical summary and fracture history;
- bone-density reports with the full numerical results and previous comparisons;
- spine, hip, or fracture X-rays, CT, or MRI images;
- blood calcium, phosphate, albumin, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, magnesium, and kidney-function results;
- 24-hour urine calcium and related metabolic testing when available;
- thyroid and other endocrine test results;
- parathyroid ultrasound, sestamibi scan, CT, or other localization imaging;
- operative notes and pathology reports from previous neck surgery;
- genetic testing and family history when relevant;
- a complete list of current and previous bone or calcium-related medicines; and
- a clear list of questions for the specialist.
Historical laboratory results are particularly useful because calcium, parathyroid hormone, kidney function, and bone density should be interpreted as trends.
Planning an International Consultation
Appointments with senior specialists may be limited. Before traveling, patients should confirm whether their records can be reviewed, whether an in-person examination is required, and which laboratory or imaging tests may need to be repeated.
Remote medical-record review is subject to physician authorization. It may help identify the next step, but a final diagnosis or treatment plan may require examination and coordinated assessment by endocrinology, radiology, nuclear medicine, or surgery.
How CMCS Can Assist
CMCS – China Medical Concierge Shanghai is an independent medical concierge and health management company, not a hospital. We assist international patients with organizing and translating medical records, identifying an appropriate specialist, requesting appointment availability, arranging interpretation, and planning medical travel in China.
Access to Professor Xing, remote review, surgery, or any particular treatment is subject to the doctor’s and hospital’s approval. CMCS does not guarantee appointments, treatment eligibility, or clinical outcomes.
For assistance, contact CMCS:
- Email: contract@medicalsh.com
- WhatsApp: Contact us on WhatsApp
- Website: www.medicalsh.com
Important Note
Doctor titles, clinical roles, research activities, treatment availability, and appointment arrangements may change. Patients should confirm current information before travel. This profile is based on publicly available hospital and academic sources and is provided for general information only. It is not individual medical advice and does not replace assessment by a qualified endocrinologist.
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