Hyperparathyroidism in Dogs Excessive Levels of Parathyroid
Hormone in the Blood in Dogs The parathyroid hormone is
responsible for regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in the
blood, increasing blood calcium levels by causing calcium to be
reabsorbed from bone. The parathyroid glands are small, hormone-
secreting glands that are located on or near the thyroid glands.
The term para- refers to adjacent or alongside, and thyroid
refers to the actual thyroid gland; the thyroid and parathyroid
glands are located side by side in the neck, near the windpipe
or trachea. Hyperparathyroidism is a medical condition related
to the parathyroid glands, in which over active parathyroid
glands cause abnormally high levels of parathyroid hormone (also
known as parathormone or PTH) to circulate in the blood. Primary
hyperparathyroidism refers to a condition in which a tumor in
the parathyroid gland produces excessive levels of parathyroid
hormone, leading to increased blood calcium levels
(hypercalcemia). Secondary hyperpar