PTH

Medical abbreviation · Endocrinology & Diabetes

PTH stands for Parathyroid hormone, an endocrinology & diabetes abbreviation.

Hormone from the four parathyroid glands that raises blood calcium by releasing calcium from bone, increasing kidney reabsorption and activating vitamin D. Measured with calcium, it distinguishes parathyroid-driven high calcium from other causes.

Example: Calcium 11.2 with inappropriately normal PTH 78: primary hyperparathyroidism.

Usage notes

A high calcium with a high or "inappropriately normal" PTH indicates hyperparathyroidism, while a suppressed PTH points to cancer, vitamin D excess or other causes. Teriparatide, a fragment of PTH given daily, builds bone in osteoporosis. Intraoperative PTH levels confirm successful adenoma removal within minutes.

Related abbreviations

More endocrinology & diabetes abbreviations

• OGTT – Oral glucose tolerance test
• PA – Primary aldosteronism
• PCOS – Polycystic ovary syndrome
• PHPT – Primary hyperparathyroidism
• PRL – Prolactin
• PTC – Papillary thyroid carcinoma
• RAI – Radioactive iodine
• RAIU – Radioactive iodine uptake
• SIADH – Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion
• SMBG – Self-monitoring of blood glucose
• T1DM – Type 1 diabetes mellitus
• T2DM – Type 2 diabetes mellitus

See all 64 endocrinology & diabetes abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.