Summary:
Calcium metabolism is regulated by three specific hormones: parathormone, calciferol metabolites, and calcitonin. Cyclic AMP also plays an important role in calcium regulation, and its concentration in urine can be used as a measure of parathyroid function. Methods for quantitative measurement of calcium-regulating hormones and vitamin D metabolites, as well as of cAMP, are essential for the safe differential diagnosis of parathyroid diseases such as hypo- and hyperparathyroidism. This monograph summarizes all currently available methods, indicating whether they can be obtained as test kits or are still under development. Radioimmunoassays for various peptide fragments, such as 53-84, 44-68, 28-48, and 1-34, are described, along with immunochemiluminescence methods and adenylate cyclase bioassays. The same applies to vitamin D metabolites, where various assays for calcidiol and calcitriol, including HPLC, protein-binding assays with second antibody separation, and double antibody RIA, are discussed. Finally, the determination of calcitonin and cAMP is examined in detail. This is a practically and clinically oriented monograph for professionals in the fields of internal medicine, endocrinology, and laboratory medicine.

Authors: Armbruster, Franz P. (ed.); Bouillon, Roger (ed.); Schmidt-Gayk, Heinrich (ed.).