PTH (Intact Parathyroid Hormone)

Hypocalcemia is a condition where the blood calcium levels are below the normal range. This may occur due to: · Low levels of blood protein, especially albumin · Hypoparathyroidism or reduced secretion of parathyroid hormones · Genetic resistance to parathyroid hormones · Dietary deficiency of calcium · Intolerance of dietary calcium · Vitamin D deficiency · Magnesium deficiency · High phosphorus concentration in blood · Acute pancreatitis (inflammation of pancreas) · Hormonal changes in women after menopause · Renal failure · Alcoholism

Short term or mild deficiency of calcium usually produces very little symptoms. This happens because the body can augment mild calcium deficiency by releasing the calcium stored in bones. Symptoms appear in case of chronic or long term calcium deficiency. Symptoms of Hypocalcemia include: · Weak and brittle hairs · Brittle nails · Thin and brittle bones which fracture easily · Confusion · Memory loss · Numbness and tingling sensation · Muscle spasms and cramps · Depression · Hallucinations · Seizures

Hypercalcemia is the condition where blood calcium levels rise higher than the normal range. This may occur due to: · Hyperparathyroidism or increased secretion of parathyroid hormones · Hyperthyroidism or increased secretion of thyroid hormones · Prolonged period of immobility as in bed rest · Sarcoidosis, a condition that produces nodules in different organs · Tuberculosis · Overconsumption of Vitamin D · Treatment by thiazide diuretics · Kidney transplant · HIV/AIDS · Cancer

Symptoms of Hypercalcemia include: · Headache · Weakness and fatigue · Excessive urination and thirst · Nausea · Pain in abdomen · Constipation · Abnormal heartbeat or cardiac arrhythmia · Weak and brittle bones · Muscular cramps · Depression and irritability · Confusion · Coma

A fasting period of 10 hours is advised before the test is performed. Inform the doctor of any medications you may be taking. No other specific preparations are usually required before the Intact Parathyroid Hormone Test.

Additional tests that may be prescribed in case of abnormal Intact Parathyroid Hormone test result are: · Blood Calcium Test · Electrolyte Panel Test · Kidney Function Tests

Factors that can affect the Intact Parathyroid Hormone Test include: · High body fat content · Deficiency of Vitamin D · Burnett’s Syndrome · Certain medications like vitamin supplements containing Vitamins A and D, phosphates, steroids, etc.

Common causes of hypoparathyroidism include: · Reduced activity of parathyroid glands · Increased hormone secretion from thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) · Deficiency of magnesium · Hypercalcemia unrelated to parathyroid gland

Common causes of hyperparathyroidism include: · Increased activity of parathyroid glands, usually due to parathyroid gland tumors · Improper response of the kidneys to PTH · Deficiency of Vitamin D · Injury to the spinal cord · Hypocalcemia unrelated to parathyroid gland

Hyperparathyroidism is usually treated by surgically removing the affected parathyroid gland to reduce parathyroid hormone secretions. Enough parathyroid gland tissues are left behind to prevent hypoparathyroidism. The Intraoperative PTH is a test for the intact parathyroid hormone, performed during such a surgery to ensure all of the abnormal parathyroid gland tissues are removed. PTH levels are checked before and after the surgical removal of the abnormal gland tissues. Since PTH has a very short half-life of about 5 to 10 minutes, successful surgical removal of abnormal tissues of the gland causes the PTH levels in the blood to drop by 50% within 5 to 10 minutes. The test is performed and the result is analyzed during the surgery to determine the extent of tissue to be removed.