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Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a hormone that is produced by the parathyroid glands, which are four small glands located near the thyroid gland in the neck. PTH plays a crucial role in regulating the levels of calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D in the body. PTH acts on the bones, kidneys, and intestines to increase the levels of calcium in the blood. It does this by stimulating the release of calcium from the bones, increasing the absorption of calcium in the intestines, and increasing the reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys. PTH also stimulates the production of active vitamin D, which is important for calcium absorption and bone health. PTH production is regulated by the level of calcium in the blood. When calcium levels are low, the parathyroid glands release PTH to increase calcium levels. When calcium levels are high, PTH production is decreased to prevent calcium levels from getting too high. Abnormal PTH levels can indicate a number of different health conditions. High levels of PTH can indicate primary hyperparathyroidism, a condition in which one or more of the parathyroid glands produces too much PTH. This can lead to high calcium levels in the blood, which can cause a range of symptoms and health problems. Low levels of PTH can indicate hypoparathyroidism, a condition in which the parathyroid glands produce too little PTH. This can lead to low calcium levels in the blood, which can also cause a range of symptoms and health problems.

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