Parathyroid hormone radioimmunoassays in the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia due to primary hyperparathyroidism or malignancy.

Abstract

Brief Reports1 April 1987Parathyroid Hormone Radioimmunoassays in the Differential Diagnosis of Hypercalcemia Due to Primary Hyperparathyroidism or MalignancyEDWARD G. LUFKIN, M.D., PAI CHIH KAO, Ph.D., HUNTER HEATH III, M.D.EDWARD G. LUFKIN, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, PAI CHIH KAO, Ph.D.Search for more papers by this author, HUNTER HEATH III, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-106-4-559 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe determination of serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels remains the most useful laboratory study in the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia. The iPTH assay has been particularly valuable in distinguishing the two commonest hypercalcemic disorders, primary hyperparathyroidism and malignancy, which together account for more than 80% of cases of persistent hypercalcemia (1-3). The importance of distinguishing these two disorders lies in the great differences in their treatment and prognosis.There are differences in predictive value among commercially available iPTH assays, and some confusion persists concerning the terms used to describe these assays. When Raisz and coworkers (4) submitted aliquots of...