Parathormone, also called parathyroid hormone or PTH, is produced by four small glands located behind the thyroid. Its main job is to keep calcium in the blood within a narrow, steady range.
When blood calcium drops, these glands release more PTH to help bring it back up. As calcium rises, they release less. This ongoing adjustment supports functions we depend on every moment, including nerve communication, muscle movement, and a steady heartbeat.
When calcium becomes too low, nerves and muscles can become unusually excitable. A person may experience tingling, muscle tightness, cramps, or involuntary spasms. Fatigue and difficulty concentrating may also occur. These symptoms can have several causes, which is why PTH and calcium need to be evaluated together.
Check your PTH and calcium status through individual or panel testing.
Parathyroid Hormone + Calcium
2 biomarkers in this panel test.
This test measures intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium. It is used to aid in the diagnosis of hypercalcemia and various renal and parathyroid diseases.
Severe calcium deficiency can interfere with breathing and heart rhythm, making it a medical emergency.
Parathyroid hormone also helps regulate the movement of calcium between the bloodstream and the bones. It encourages the kidneys to conserve calcium and activates vitamin D, which helps the intestine absorb calcium from food. But when the diet provides too little calcium, or vitamin D is insufficient, the body may rely more heavily on calcium stored in bone to maintain the blood level. Over time, persistently elevated PTH can contribute to bone loss. Blood calcium may remain normal even while the skeleton is losing mineral.
You can buy Vitamin D in our shop.
Micellized D3 1200 IU
Delivers vitamin D3 in a water-soluble micellized form for absorption, as discussed in this section.
A low parathormone level does not always mean the body is missing something. Sometimes, it means the body is responding exactly as it should. When blood calcium rises, the parathyroid glands naturally release less PTH, helping calcium return toward its normal range.
A true deficiency develops when the glands cannot produce enough PTH to meet that need. Calcium drops, but the hormonal response needed to bring it back up is too weak. This condition is called hypoparathyroidism.
It can appear suddenly after thyroid or other neck surgery if the nearby parathyroid glands are accidentally removed or damaged. Surgery is the most common cause. Less often, autoimmune or genetic conditions affect the glands; very rarely, deficiency develops after radioactive iodine treatment.
Parathormone deficiency can be easy to miss when symptoms are mild. A person may notice muscles tightening or cramping or feel “pins and needles” around the lips, fingers, or toes. The hands, feet, legs, and face may also feel uncomfortable or twitch. These sensations can become stronger during stress, particularly if breathing becomes unusually fast.
Parathyroid hormone levels increase with age in most people but may decrease in patients after receiving correct hormone treatments.
As we grow older, declining levels of growth hormone, estrogen and testosterone, can contribute to the loss of bone density and calcium. When blood calcium levels fall, the parathyroid glands release more PTH. This hormone increases bone resorption, releasing calcium from the bones to maintain adequate levels in the bloodstream. Although this response helps preserve blood calcium, it can come at the expense of the skeleton and does not necessarily indicate optimal calcium metabolism. When deficiencies in sex hormones, growth hormone, and vitamin D are adequately corrected, PTH levels may gradually decrease rather than rise with age.
| Calcium level | What elevated PTH may mean |
|---|---|
| Low or normal | The glands may be compensating for low vitamin D, insufficient calcium intake or absorption, or kidney disease. This is called secondary hyperparathyroidism. |
| High | A parathyroid gland may be producing too much hormone despite already having enough calcium. This suggests primary hyperparathyroidism, often caused by a noncancerous growth. |
To understand whether parathyroid hormone (PTH) is too high or too low, we need to measure it alongside calcium. Phosphorus and vitamin D help complete the picture. Calcium can be measured as total calcium, interpreted together with a blood protein called albumin, or as ionized calcium - the form immediately available for the body to use. Magnesium and kidney function tests can also help explain abnormal results. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, while PTH helps regulate phosphorus through the kidneys. Checking these markers together helps us understand both the hormone level and the reason behind it.
Check your albumin status through individual or panel testing.
Albumin
Individual Albumin test.
Albumin is the most abundant protein in the blood plasma, produced by the liver. It plays a critical role in maintaining oncotic pressure (fluid balance between blood vessels and tissues) and serves as a carrier protein for hormones, drugs, and other substances.
Check your magnesium status through individual or panel testing.
Magnesium, Red Blood Cell (RBC)
Individual Magnesium, Red Blood Cell (RBC) test.
Magnesium, RBC (Red Blood Cell) measures the magnesium level inside red blood cells, providing a more accurate reflection of intracellular magnesium status than serum levels. Magnesium is essential for muscle function, nerve signaling, and energy production.
| Test | Optimal value* | Probable Parathormone Deficiency | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parathormone* | 30 | 0-20 | 10-55 pg/ml |
| Calcium | 9.5 2.4 |
≤ 9.0 ≤ 2.25 |
8.6 - 10.5 mg/dL 2.1 – 2.7 mmol/L |
| Ionized Calcium | 5.0 1.25 |
≤ 4.8 ≤1.20 |
4.6 - 5.4 mg/dL 1.15 -1.35 mmol/L |
| Phosphorus | 3.5 1.15 |
0-3 0-0.97 |
2.50 - 4.50 mg/dL 0.81 - 1.45 mmol/L |
| Vitamin D3 (25-OH-D3) | 45 150 |
0 – 35* 0 – 85* |
18-48 µg/L 82-217 µmol/l |
Adequate nutrition and regular physical activity support calcium balance and bone health. This includes getting enough protein, calcium, and vitamin D while avoiding malnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.
| Area | What to include | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Protein-rich foods, including meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. | Eating too little protein or too little food overall. |
| Calcium | Calcium-rich fish and seafood. | Inadequate calcium intake. |
| Vitamin D | Cod liver oil, eggs, and fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, and herring. | - |
| Foods and drinks | Meals that provide adequate protein, calcium, and vitamin D. | Sugar, sweets, soft drinks, caffeinated beverages—including coffee, caffeinated tea, and cola—and alcohol. |
| Supplements | Calcium supplements when needed. Vitamin D supplementation: 2,000–4,000 IU daily | - |
| Sun exposure | Sunlight helps the skin produce vitamin D. | - |
| Physical activity | Weight-bearing activity, such as walking and light jogging when appropriate. | A sedentary lifestyle. |
Start by checking PTH and calcium together, alongside vitamin D, magnesium, and kidney function. The right approach depends on why the result is abnormal.
If PTH is high: Check for vitamin D deficiency, inadequate calcium intake or absorption, and kidney problems. Correcting the underlying cause may bring PTH down. If calcium is also high, an endocrinologist should evaluate for overactive parathyroid glands, which may require treatment beyond supplements.
If PTH is low: Low PTH with high calcium may be an appropriate hormonal response, but the high calcium still needs investigation. Low PTH together with low calcium suggests hypoparathyroidism. Treatment may include calcium, prescription active vitamin D, correction of magnesium deficiency, and, in selected cases, PTH replacement.
You can buy Magnesium in our shop.
Magnesium Balance Complex
Combines magnesium glycinate and malate, two chelated forms formulated for absorption, as discussed in this section.
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