Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Hormona paratiroidea
Parathyroid hormone (PAYR-uh-THY-royd HOR-mone)
A substance made by the parathyroid gland that helps the body store and use calcium. A higher-than-normal amount of parathyroid hormone causes high levels of calcium in the blood and may be a sign of disease. Also called parathormone, parathyrin, and PTH.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.