New York Center for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery logo
LOG IN | CONTACT US

Random image 2Random image 4elder women at parathyroid center
  • Parathyroid Imaging
    • Parathyroid Scan
    • Parathyroid Ultrasound
    • SPECT Scanning of Parathyroid
    • MRI of Parathyroid
    • Parathyroid CT Scan
  • OUR EXPERT TEAM
    • Lawrence Gordon, MD, Parathyroid Surgeon
    • Operating Room Team
      • Nancy Fiorino, R.N.
      • China Krupin, R.N.
      • Marlene Roerden, R.N.
      • Regina Carey, R.N.
      • Gail Babcock, R.N.
      • Marie Bush, R.N.
      • Lynn Hickey, R.N.
    • Parathyroid Imaging Team
      • Steven Leffler, M.D. Ph.D.
      • Robert Wilkins, M.D.
      • Fred Bohn, Nuclear Medicine
      • Rose Richardsen, Ultrasonography
    • Surgical Team
      • Ching-Huang Huang, M.D.
      • Tomi Prvulovic, M.D.
      • Wendy Xu, R.N.
      • Janine
      • Helen Paliana
    • Administration and Office Staff
      • Jennifer Rotante
      • Resa Barbalich
    • Pathology and Laboratory Team
  • Become a Patient
    • Travel Plans
      • Lodging
      • Directions
      • Sites to Visit
      • Concierge Service
    • Fees and Medical Insurance
    • Postop Instructions
    • What Patients Say
    • Postoperative Scar Gallery
  • FAQ
    • Can I wait for surgery?
    • Out of town patients
    • Wound Care
    • Where should I have my parathyroid localization?
    • Ambulatory parathyroid surgery
    • Fees
    • Negative Sestamibi
    • Postoperative Medications
    • Large parathyroid tumors
  • Parathyroid Function
    • Hyperparathyroidism Treatment
    • Hyperparathyroidism
    • Diagnostic Tests
    • Osteoporosis
    • Kidney Stones
  • Parathyroid Surgery Technique
    • Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone
    • Parathyroid Surgery Technique
    • Anesthesia for Parathyroid Surgery
    • Minimally Invasive Radioguided Parathyroidectomy (MIRP)
    • Does Length Matter?

Hyperparathyroidism Diagnostic Tests

The two primary tests used to diagnose primary hyperparathyroidism are blood calcium levels and blood parathyroid hormone levels (PTH).  It is important to understand the relationship between blood calcium level and parathyroid hormone. When the blood calcium level is high, the parathyroid hormone should be low.  A high calcium level with a parathyroid hormone level that is either elevated or in the high normal range usually indicates primary hyperparathyroidism.  It is also important to understand that both the parathyroid hormone level and calcium levels change with time so it may be required to do several calcium and PTH tests before confirming the diagnosis.   Other tests then help confirm the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism.

A 24 hour urine calcium level that is elevated also supports the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism.  When there is excessive calcium being broken down from the bones, there is frequently elelvated calcium level over a 24 hour period in the urine.  An elevated calcium level in the urine is not normal.

Vitamin D level helps determine if hyperparathyroidism is in fact secondary rather than primary.   Vitamin D deficiency is one of the reasons for calcium deficiency and excess parathyroid hormone secretion.

Serum phophate is usually low due to excessive secrtion and loss of the body's phosphorus through the kidneys.  There is decreased reabsorption of phosphorus by the kidneys in primary hyperparathyroidism.  This contrasts with secondary hyperparthyroidism, where the phosphate levels are generally elevated.

Imaging tests that help localize and confirm the presence of a parathyroid adenoma include the parathyroid sestambi scan and high resolution ultrasound of the thyroid and parathryoid glands.

  • Diagnosis
  • Tests
 

Copyright New York Center for Advaced Parathyroid Surgery 2010 | Site Map | 888-760-0966| info@advancedparathyroid.com | Fax 845-531-4829