Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Test

The parathyroid glands regulate concentrations of plasma calcium and metabolism of bone, through secretion of PTH. This blood test is used to diagnosis parathyroid disease and other diseases that involve calcium homeostasis. This test can also be used to monitor patients undergoing renal dialysis. 

Additional Information

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a protein hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands that controls the blood's calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus levels. PTH plays a key role in bone growth. PTHrP and parathyroid hormone (PTH) share many important biological effects, including the production of hypercalcemia, activation of osteoclasts and increasing bone resorption, enhanced renal conservation of calcium and excretion of phosphate, and increased absorption of calcium from the gut. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), a single-chain polypeptide containing 84 amino acid residues, is synthesized and stored in the parathyroid glands, from which it is secreted at a rate inversely proportional to room temperature concentration of ionized serum calcium.