Calcitonin is a hormone produced in the thyroid gland whose functions are to control the amount of calcium circulating in the blood, preventing the reabsorption of calcium in the blood, reducing calcium absorption in the intestines and increasing excretion by the kidneys.
The main indication of the calcitonin test is the detection of a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma, being considered a tumor marker of this disease, which causes significant elevations of this hormone. Evaluation of the presence of hyperplasia of C cells in the thyroid gland is also a common indication, although this hormone may also be elevated in other situations, such as in breast lung cancer for example.
- As a drug.
- The use of calcitonin may be indicated for the treatment of diseases such as osteoporosis.
- Excess calcium in the blood.
- Paget’s disease or systematic dystrophy.
- Learn more about calcitonin and its main functions.
The calcitonin test may be requested to
Despite these key indications, it should be remembered that calcitonin may also increase in other conditions, such as other cancers, such as leukemia, lung, pancreatic, breast or prostate cancer, in the presence of chronic kidney disease. hypergastriemia or hypercalcemia from hyperparathyroidism or other situations.
Calcitonin medication is done in the lab, at your doctor’s prior request, from which a blood sample is taken, to obtain your baseline levels.
Calcitonin values are influenced by a variety of conditions, including the use of certain medications, such as omeprazole or corticosteroids, age, smoking and winemaking, so a way to get the most reliable tests is achieved along with calcium or pentagastrin infusion, which are powerful stimulators of calcetonin secretion.
The problem of stimulating calcitonin with a calcium infusion is more readily available and is performed by humans, in fasting. Calcium is injected within 0, 2, 5 and 10 minutes after infusion to assess whether the growth pattern is considered normal.
Normal calcitonin values may vary depending on the laboratory performing the scan, and the normal value for calcitonin may be considered at the rate of 8. 4 pg/ml in men and 5 pg/ml in women. this value is considered normal for 30 pg/ml and positive above 100 pg/ml. Between 30 and 99 pg/dl, tests are considered undetermined, so more tests are needed to confirm the disease.