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All Tests, Nutrition & Vitamin Health, Hormones
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Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Test

Assess parathyroid function with a PTH blood test.

This PTH Test measures the level of intact parathyroid hormone in your blood to help evaluate how well your parathyroid glands are regulating calcium balance in your body. PTH is produced by the parathyroid glands and helps regulate calcium levels, which is important for healthy bones, muscles, nerves, and heart function.

 
Because PTH helps maintain calcium balance, this blood test may provide insight into parathyroid function, specifically when calcium levels are outside the normal range or when symptoms related to calcium imbalance are present. Measuring PTH can help evaluate how much active parathyroid hormone is circulating in the body.


Note: This test is most useful when evaluated alongside a calcium level because PTH and calcium work closely together. Healthcare providers often review PTH results together with calcium, and sometimes vitamin D, to better understand how the body is maintaining calcium balance.

$ 79.0
$79
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Test
$ 79.0
$79

Test Details

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Sample Type: Blood
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Collection Method: In person at a Labcorp location
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Age: 18-100
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Results: 1 day from when your sample arrives at our lab
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HSA/FSA: Accepted
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Test must be taken by purchaser

Preparation: If you’re taking a supplement containing biotin (also called vitamin B7 or B8, vitamin H or coenzyme R), commonly found in products promoting nail, skin, and hair health, we recommend that you wait at least 72 hours from your last dose before taking the test.

What's Tested
  • Parathyroid hormone

    PTH is made by the parathyroid glands, four small glands located in the neck behind the thyroid and helps control calcium levels in your blood and bones. Because PTH works closely with calcium and vitamin D, healthcare providers often review PTH results alongside these levels to better understand how the body maintains calcium balance. Higher or lower PTH levels may be related to changes in calcium, vitamin D, kidney function, or the parathyroid glands.

Why Consider This Test

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Insights on parathyroid levels

The PTH Test helps assess how well your parathyroid glands are managing calcium balance. It’s often checked when calcium levels are outside the normal range.

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Experiencing symptoms?

Symptoms such as bone or joint pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, frequent urination, kidney stones, or tingling in the hands or lips may be linked to calcium imbalance and parathyroid hormone changes, but they may also have other causes. A PTH blood test can support conversations with your healthcare provider when interpreted alongside other lab results.

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Support informed health decisions

Whether you’re following up on abnormal calcium results or taking a proactive approach to bone health, this PTH intact lab test may provide additional information to review with your healthcare provider.

References:

1. Bilezikian JP, Khan AA, Silverberg SJ. Evaluation and management of primary hyperparathyroidism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(11):3993‑4014. doi:10.1210/jc.2018-01225

2. Endocrine Society. Primary hyperparathyroidism. Endocrine Society. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/primary-hyperparathyroidism

3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Primary hyperparathyroidism. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/primary-hyperparathyroidism

4. Labcorp. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), intact [test code 015610]. Labcorp Test Menu. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://www.labcorp.com/tests/015610

5. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Calcium – fact sheet for health professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Accessed April 3, 2026. HYPERLINK https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/

6. MedlinePlus. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) test. MedlinePlus. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/parathyroid-hormone-pth-test/

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Frequently Bought Together

FAQ

  • The parathyroid glands are four small glands in the neck that control calcium balance by releasing parathyroid hormone. They are separate from the thyroid and play an important role in bone strength and nerve signaling.

  • Parathyroid function is evaluated with a PTH blood test, most commonly the intact PTH test. A healthcare provider will often review PTH results along with calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and kidney function labs for a more complete picture of your health.

  • High parathyroid hormone levels may indicate that the body is trying to raise calcium levels. This may occur with low calcium levels, vitamin D deficiency, kidney disease, or other conditions involving the parathyroid glands. A healthcare provider considers PTH levels together with calcium and other labs to determine possible causes.
     

    Consult with your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about the results of your PTH blood test.

  • Hyperparathyroidism is a condition in which one or more parathyroid glands produce high amounts of parathyroid hormone. This can cause calcium levels in the blood to rise, which may affect bones over time. Because PTH results are best understood alongside calcium and other lab tests, it’s important to review your results with a healthcare provider who can interpret them in the context of your overall health.

  • This test provides general information about PTH levels. It is not used to diagnose or monitor medical conditions.
     

    Results from a parathyroid test help show whether PTH levels are higher or lower than expected. Your results should be reviewed with your healthcare provider, who can interpret them in the context of your health history, diet, and other laboratory findings such as calcium or vitamin D levels.

  • Symptoms that may be related to calcium or parathyroid imbalance:
     

    • Bone or joint pain
    • Muscle cramps
    • Tingling or numbness
    • Fatigue or weakness
    • Frequent urination
    • Confusion or difficulty concentrating
    • Nausea, constipation, or loss of appetite


    It's important to note that symptoms can vary widely and may be caused by other conditions. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider who can interpret the results in the context of your overall health and medical history.

  • Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.

  • Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order.  If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.  

     

    If you have questions or comments regarding the Labcorp Notice of Privacy Practices, or have a complaint about our use or disclosure of your PHI or our privacy practices, please contact: privacyofficer@labcorp.com, call us at (877) 234-4722 (877-23-HIPAA) and ask for the Labcorp HIPAA Privacy Officer, or send a written request to: HIPAA Privacy Officer, Labcorp, 531 South Spring Street, Burlington, NC 27215. You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

  • Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.

  • To align with clinical best practices, we’ve set an age maximum of 100 for consumer-initiated testing. This limit was set to encourage individuals in more advanced age groups - who may have complex medical needs - to receive personalized guidance about testing from their healthcare providers.

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