Parathyroid Hormone: Does It Have a Role in the Pathogenesis of Osteoporosis?

Of the many functions that parathyroid hormone serves, none is more important than its role to maintain calcium homeostasis. Intrinsic to the aging process is changes in the synthesis, metabolism, and responsiveness of parathyroid hormone. This article explores whether the age-associated changes in parathyroid hormone are causally related to the age-associated changes in bone mass. On the other hand, some of the apparent changes in parathyroid hormone associated with aging may be adaptive, serving to protect the aging skeleton. More information is needed to sort out these diametrically opposite views.