Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

From Health Facts
Jump to: navigation, search
Latest Edit: Hector 2014-03-24 (EDT)

See Also Lab Tests

Testing Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is used for a number of reasons which include, determining the cause of calcium imbalances, evaluating parathyroid function, diagnosing and differentiating between primary, secondary, and tertiary hyperparathyroidism, diagnosing hypoparathyroidism, during surgery for hyperparathyroidism, and confirming reomoval of the glands causing the problem.[1], [2]

Discussion

  • The PTH test measures the amount of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the blood.
  • PTH functions is helping the body maintain stable levels of calcium in the blood

Patient Preparation

  • No preparation is required.

Clinical Implications

High levels indicate:

  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Parathyroid tumor
  • Kidney disease and/or failure

Low levels indicate:

  • Hypoparathyroidism
  • Automimmune disorder
  • Parathyroid damage or removal during surgery
  • Genetic condition
  • Severe illness

Associated Tests

References

  1. Pagana Kathleen D, Pagana Timothy J (2006) Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, Mosby.
  2. Weatherby Dicken, Ferguson Scott (2002) Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis: Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective, Bear Mountain.