What happens physiologically when blood calcium levels are excessively high?

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When blood calcium levels are excessively high, the parathyroid glands respond to this increase by reducing the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). The primary role of PTH is to regulate calcium levels in the blood by promoting calcium absorption in the intestines, reabsorption in the kidneys, and releasing calcium from the bones. When calcium levels rise above the normal range, the body initiates a negative feedback mechanism, leading to decreased PTH production. This decrease helps prevent further increases in serum calcium levels and encourages other processes, such as the activity of calcitonin from the thyroid gland, which works to lower blood calcium levels. Thus, the response of the parathyroid glands to high blood calcium levels is to stop making parathyroid hormone, which is essential in maintaining calcium homeostasis.

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