Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Blood Test

Preparation

No special preparation is required before having a PTH blood test.

Procedure

The procedure for PTH testing is a standard blood draw. The laboratory technician will insert a needle in your arm to draw out a sample of blood.

Types

The types of PTH tests that a doctor would likely order includes:

• Intact PTH test
• Parathyroid hormone-related peptide test
• Calcium Kinetic Test
• Fractional Parathyroid Test

Risks

It is likely that you may feel slight discomfort during the blood testing. A brief and mild sting sensation is possible at the insertion of the needle, but that should only be momentary.

Why Get Tested?

Your doctor might recommend a PTH test if you have a combination of certain signs and symptoms that are associated with abnormal parathyroid function. These might include.

• Bone pain
• Frequent fractures or breaks
• Kidney Stones
• Depression, anxiety, or difficulty concentrating

When to Get Tested?

If your doctor has ordered routing PTH as part of a regular checkup, these tests should be done annually. If your doctor has ordered these tests to diagnose a medical condition, your doctor will recommend when they should be done.