HTA Details
Parathyroid Hormone
- Publication date
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2013-July-01
- Status
- Final
- Topic Area
- Diabetes and Other Endocrinal, Nutritional and Metabolic
- Recommendation
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Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee Recommendations:
- Parathyroid hormone should be measured only when high calcium levels are detected, as in suspected or established primary hyperparathyroidism.
- Parathyroid hormone should be measured in patients with chronic renal disease as needed on an ongoing basis.
- Ministry Response
-
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care endorses this recommendation.
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To read the full OHTAC Recommendation Report for this topic, contact our Health Innovation team using the contact form to request a digital copy.
The parathyroid glands are four pea-sized glands located on the thyroid gland in the neck. They secrete parathyroid hormone, which maintains the body’s calcium and phosphorus levels. If the parathyroid glands secrete too much parathyroid hormone, then blood calcium levels rise. This is called hyperparathyroidism. Too much blood calcium can cause bone loss and kidney stones.
Parathyroid hormone testing in the community setting has increased steadily in Ontario since 2005. In 2011/12, 149,690 tests were conducted, at a cost of $9,286,768.
Given the prevalence of hyperparathyroidism in Ontario, experts estimate the total number of parathyroid hormone tests needed each year to be 76,574. Hyperparathyroidism is uncommon, and of the tests done in Ontario during 2011/12 nearly half may have been unneeded.
Supporting Documents
Last Updated: February 24, 2026
