Understanding PTH (Intact Parathyroid Hormone)
At Curis Life Clinic, the PTH (Intact Parathyroid Hormone) test helps evaluate how well your parathyroid glands are functioning and how effectively your body is maintaining calcium balance — which is vital for bone strength, muscle activity, and nerve function.
The parathyroid glands are four small glands located behind the thyroid gland in the neck. They produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. PTH ensures that the concentration of calcium remains within the normal range by:
- Increasing calcium absorption from the intestines,
- Releasing calcium from bones into the bloodstream, and
- Regulating how much calcium the kidneys retain or excrete.
An imbalance in PTH levels can disrupt this process, leading to hypoparathyroidism (underactive glands, low calcium) or hyperparathyroidism (overactive glands, high calcium).
Your doctor may recommend a PTH (Intact Parathyroid Hormone) test if you experience:
- Persistent bone or joint pain
- Muscle weakness or cramps
- Fatigue or tingling sensations in hands or feet
- Kidney problems or history of kidney stones
- Abnormal calcium or phosphorus levels detected in routine tests
This test is also useful in evaluating bone health, kidney function, and mineral metabolism disorders. It helps guide treatment plans for calcium-related imbalances and chronic kidney disease patients who often experience disrupted calcium-phosphorus regulation.
Preparation Required
Overnight fasting (8–12 hours) is required before the test, though you may drink water. Since PTH levels fluctuate throughout the day, the test is ideally conducted at a consistent time, often in the morning.
Inform your doctor about any medications or supplements — especially calcium or vitamin D — as they may interfere with results.
Test Interpretation
PTH results must always be interpreted in context with calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels.
Lab ranges may vary slightly, so it’s best to discuss your results with your doctor at Curis Life Clinic. Never self-medicate; your doctor will assess your overall health, suggest diet or medication adjustments, and recommend further tests or follow-ups if needed.
What Does PTH (Intact Parathyroid Hormone) Measure?
The PTH (Intact Parathyroid Hormone) test measures the concentration of parathyroid hormone in your blood. This hormone is part of a feedback loop that maintains calcium balance:
- Low calcium levels trigger increased PTH release.
- High calcium levels suppress PTH production.
Abnormal PTH levels can indicate parathyroid gland dysfunction, calcium metabolism disorders, or kidney disease.
By evaluating PTH along with calcium and phosphorus levels, doctors at Curis Life Clinic can diagnose and manage conditions like hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, osteoporosis, and renal bone disease, helping restore mineral balance and overall health.
