INTACT PTH-PARA THYROID HORMONE (PTH)

Overview

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is produced and secreted by the parathyroid glands, which are located along the posterior aspect of the thyroid gland. The hormone is synthesized as a 115-amino acid precursor (pre-pro-PTH), cleaved to pro-PTH, and then to the 84-amino acid molecule, PTH (numbering, by universal convention, starting at the amino terminus). The precursor forms generally remain within the parathyroid cells.About 90% of the patients with primary hyperparathyroidism have elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. The remaining patients have normal (inappropriate for the elevated calcium level) PTH levels. About 40% of the patients with primary hyperparathyroidism have serum phosphorus levels below 2.5 mg/dL, and about 80% have serum phosphorus below 3.0 mg/dL.