Genesis of hyperparathyroidism

The radioimmunoassay of PTH has provided a powerful new tool for clinical investigation. Although much remains to be learned about the details of the assay, rapid progress is being made in many laboratories. The subtlety of PTH response in various disease states is becoming evident. The great variety of clinical circumstances under which primary hyperparathyroidism occurs suggests multiple etiologies of the disease. It is possible that primary hyperparathyroidism is the consequence of long-term adaptation and therefore represents not a primary disease but the consequence of other diseases. If this proves true, the study of primary parathyroid disease will assume a new meaning in clinical practice.