Variation in PTH levels and kinetics after parathyroidectomy

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) is a surgical adjunct used to assess function of remaining parathyroid glands in "real-time" during parathyroidectomy. Parathyroid degradation kinetics are affected by timing of blood draws, patient characteristics, and disease phenotype. A nuanced understanding of these multiple factors can help parathyroid surgeons interpret IOPTH results. This article summarizes recent literature on PTH kinetics with a focus on how to apply this knowledge clinically during parathyroid surgery.