Evolution and current state of assays for measuring parathyroid hormone

Abstract

Development of the assays for parathyroid hormone (PTH) stems from the early radioimmunoassay development. Recognition of the assay shortcomings led to the development of the newer immunometric assays (IMA) that allowed for better characterization and understanding of the PTH molecule secretion, action and metabolism. Newer assays also allowed for reliable diagnosis of primary hyperparat hyroidism and hypoparathyroidism in the majority of the patients. However, despite apparent improvements in the as say's characteristics, considerable difficulties remain in assessment of the bone metabolism in the patients with end stage renaldisease. Combining the results of second generation PTH IMA assays with third generation PTH IMA assays or standardizing the PTH results may offer further enhancement in theability to assessbone metabolism in these patients, but further studies are necessary to elucidate their trueclinical value.