# CALCIUM AND PARATHYROID HORMONE REGULATION

CALCIUM AND PARATHYROID HORMONE REGULATION

The parathyroid glands play a central role in the regulation of  serum calcium levels through the production of  the active 84-amino-acid peptide, parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH is secreted in response to low serum calcium or high serum magnesium levels. It is initially cleaved in the liver, yielding an inactive C-terminal that is cleared by the kidneys. The N-terminal fragment is responsible for the biological activity of  PTH on peripheral tissues. The active circulating molecule has a half-life of  approximately 3–5 minutes in patients with normal renal function. PTH acts directly on the kidneys, bone and the gastro - intestinal tract to activate intracellular second messengers, including cyclic AMP and calcium. In the kidneys , PTH increases serum calcium levels by increasing resorption of calcium from the renal tubules and increasing the hydrox - ylation of  25-hydroxyvitamin D to the biologically active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Active vitamin D increases both the resorption of  phosphorus in the kidneys and the absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract. In bone, PTH acts on 

2%
2%
Intrathyroidal
3%
56%
Related to lower
pole of thyroid
28%
In thyrothymic
tract
9%
Related to upper
pole of thyroid
11%
Around intersection
77%
of ITA and RLN
1%
Intrathyroidal
10%
parathyroid glands. ITA, inferior thyroid artery; RLN, recurrent laryngeal nerve.

increasing the amount of  calcium in the extracellular space ( Figure 56.2 ). Calcitonin, which is synthesised by the parafollicular C cells of  the thyroid gland, acts as the physiological antagonist to PTH. Calcitonin decreases serum calcium by decreasing bone turnover . CALCIUM AND PARATHYROID HORMONE REGULATION

The parathyroid glands play a central role in the regulation of  serum calcium levels through the production of  the active 84-amino-acid peptide, parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH is secreted in response to low serum calcium or high serum magnesium levels. It is initially cleaved in the liver, yielding an inactive C-terminal that is cleared by the kidneys. The N-terminal fragment is responsible for the biological activity of  PTH on peripheral tissues. The active circulating molecule has a half-life of  approximately 3–5 minutes in patients with normal renal function. PTH acts directly on the kidneys, bone and the gastro - intestinal tract to activate intracellular second messengers, including cyclic AMP and calcium. In the kidneys , PTH increases serum calcium levels by increasing resorption of calcium from the renal tubules and increasing the hydrox - ylation of  25-hydroxyvitamin D to the biologically active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Active vitamin D increases both the resorption of  phosphorus in the kidneys and the absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract. In bone, PTH acts on 

2%
2%
Intrathyroidal
3%
56%
Related to lower
pole of thyroid
28%
In thyrothymic
tract
9%
Related to upper
pole of thyroid
11%
Around intersection
77%
of ITA and RLN
1%
Intrathyroidal
10%
parathyroid glands. ITA, inferior thyroid artery; RLN, recurrent laryngeal nerve.

increasing the amount of  calcium in the extracellular space ( Figure 56.2 ). Calcitonin, which is synthesised by the parafollicular C cells of  the thyroid gland, acts as the physiological antagonist to PTH. Calcitonin decreases serum calcium by decreasing bone turnover .