question-icon

What Is Difference Between Blood Test Between High And Low Parathyroid?

default
Posted on Tue, 10 Dec 2013
Twitter Tue, 10 Dec 2013 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 27 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on
Question : I had a blood test for Parathyroid, it is low. What is the difference between high and low? Thank you for getting back to me. XXXXX.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (5 hours later)
Brief Answer: Parathyroid Detailed Answer: Blood levels of parathyroid hormone are typically interpreted only in conjunction with blood calcium levels. Often, other lab results like 25 hydroxy vitamin D and phosphorus levels are helpful in providing greater meaning to the parathyroid levels. Generally speaking, if the blood calcium levels are normal, then a low parathyroid level is likely an 'artefact' ie probably a laboratory error. If calcium is low, and parathyroid is also low, then it is abnormal and the condition is called 'hypo-parathyroid-ism'. If the calcium and/or vitamin D levels are low, the normal compensatory response of the body is to raise its parathyroid level. In such cases, one expects the parathyroid to be high. Likewise, when the calcium is high, the parathyroid status can be used to determine the likely causative condition.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

Ask a specialist now
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask an Endocrinologist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

171 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
What Is Difference Between Blood Test Between High And Low Parathyroid?

Brief Answer: Parathyroid Detailed Answer: Blood levels of parathyroid hormone are typically interpreted only in conjunction with blood calcium levels. Often, other lab results like 25 hydroxy vitamin D and phosphorus levels are helpful in providing greater meaning to the parathyroid levels. Generally speaking, if the blood calcium levels are normal, then a low parathyroid level is likely an 'artefact' ie probably a laboratory error. If calcium is low, and parathyroid is also low, then it is abnormal and the condition is called 'hypo-parathyroid-ism'. If the calcium and/or vitamin D levels are low, the normal compensatory response of the body is to raise its parathyroid level. In such cases, one expects the parathyroid to be high. Likewise, when the calcium is high, the parathyroid status can be used to determine the likely causative condition.