PARATHYROID

GLAND

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY - 3
ANATOMY
• The parathyroid glands are
four or more small glands
located on the posterior
surface (back side) of the
thyroid gland.
FUNCTION & REGULATION
High blood Ca+ Low blood
level Ca+ level

• Maintain the body’s calcium

level for proper functioning of
nervous and muscular systems
Breakdown
of bone
Breakdown of
matrix
• In situations of low blood decreases
bone matrix
increases
calcium, the parathyroid
senses this and releases PTH
hormone that work to increase
calcium levels

Normal blood Ca+ Level

FUNCTION & REGULATION

• Maintain the body’s calcium

level for proper functioning of
nervous and muscular systems
Breakdown
of bone
matrix
• In situations of low blood decreases
calcium, the parathyroid
senses this and releases PTH
hormone that work to increase
calcium levels
PARATHYROID HORMONE
• Sole hormone secreted by parathyroid, from the chief cells
• Also known as parathyrin
PARATHYROID HORMONE
• Action
– Raise serum concentration of calcium
– How?
• Promotes reabsorption of calcium from bone
• Increases kidney tubule reabsorption of calcium by a process where
phosphate and bicarbonate is excreted
• Activates vitamin D, assists in absorption in the gut
CALCITONIN
• Produced by the thyroid
• Action
– Increase bone formation
– Inhibit bone breakdown
– Lowers blood calcium levels
– Antagonistic to PTH
PARATHYROID
DISORDERS
HYPERPARATHYROIDISM
• Hyperparathyroidism
– Causes
• Benign adenoma
• Hyperplasia of tissue in response to chronic calcium loss
• Secretion of PTH from malignant non-endocrine tumor
HYPERPARATHYROIDISM
• Results
– Increased PTH
– Increased urine and serum calcium
– Decreased serum phosphorous
– Increased urine phosphorous
– Kidney problems (stones)
– Bone problems (demineralization)
HYPOPARATHYROIDISM
• Causes
– Primary
• Idiopathic
– Secondary
• Thyroid/ parathyroid surgery
• Autoimmune diseases

• Results
– Decrease PTH
– Decreased serum calcium
– Increased serum phosphorous
 REFERENCES
• Bishop, M., Fody, E., & Schoeff, l. (2010). Clinical Chemistry:
Techniques, principles, Correlations. Baltimore: Wolters Kluwer
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Head-
and-Neck-Cancer-Center/Treatment/Parathyroidectomy.aspx
• http://www.teachpe.com/gcse_anatomy/bones.php
• Sunheimer, R., & Graves, L. (2010). Clinical Laboratory Chemistry.
Upper Saddle River: Pearson .

12