PTH – Parathyroid Hormone
Answers to common questions about pth – parathyroid hormone.
Questions on this page
What is PTH?
PTH is produced by the parathyroid glands and plays a central role in regulating:
- Calcium
- Phosphate
- Vitamin D metabolism
- Bone turnover
What does a high PTH mean?
A high PTH can occur because the parathyroid glands are overactive, but it can also be a normal response to low calcium availability.
Possible causes include:
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Chronic kidney disease
- Low calcium intake or absorption
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
What is primary hyperparathyroidism?
It occurs when one or more parathyroid glands produce excessive PTH, usually resulting in elevated calcium.
Can PTH be high when calcium is normal?
Yes.
This requires careful evaluation to distinguish normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism from secondary causes of elevated PTH.
Why should calcium and PTH be interpreted together?
PTH is a hormone that responds to calcium levels. Looking at PTH without knowing the calcium level can therefore be misleading.