What Do the Parathyroid Glands Do?

In this video, Stephanie Smooke Praw, MD, an endocrinologist at the UCLA Endocrine Center, discusses the parathyroid glands.

What Do the Parathyroid Glands Do?

These small glands are located near the thyroid gland and produce a hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH). This hormone helps control the levels of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in the blood.

Maintaining the right level of calcium in your blood is essential for your health, as it helps keep your bones strong and your body functioning properly. If the calcium levels in your blood get too low, the parathyroid glands release PTH, which tells your body to start absorbing more calcium from your food and releasing it from your bones. But if your calcium levels get too high, the parathyroid gland releases less PTH, which helps prevent your body from absorbing too much calcium from your food or releasing too much from your bones.

It's important to maintain the right balance of calcium levels in your body, and if you're experiencing any symptoms related to the parathyroid glands, talk to your doctor.