Suzanne’s blood test indicates a condition called hyperparathyroidism, which means her parathyroid gland is producing an excess of parathyroid hormone
(PTH). The doctor explained how this condition relates to Suzanne’s broken hip
and osteoporosis.
“Calcium is necessary for many functions in the body, one being hardening
of bone tissues which also serve as the body’s storehouse of that mineral.
Calcium is also important in cardiac function and signaling within the nervous
system. The primary hormone utilized to regulate the levels of calcium
circulating in our blood is parathyroid hormone, also called PTH. There is a
group of small glands, called the parathyroid glands, on the back side of the
thyroid gland in your throat. The parathyroid gland senses calcium levels and
adjusts its secretion rate of PTH. PTH indirectly stimulates osteoclasts, the
bone pruners, in order to increase blood calcium