Calcitonin
Synonym(s)
HistoryThis section has been translated automatically.
Calcitonin is a polypeptide hormone consisting of 32 amino acids, which in humans (hCT) is produced in the C cells ("C" for calcitonin) of the thyroid gland and is secreted in proportion to the calcium concentration of the blood plasma.
General informationThis section has been translated automatically.
Calcitonin causes a rapid and short-lasting reduction of the calcium and phosphate concentration. It promotes calcium and phosphate excretion via the intestines and kidneys.
The peptide hormone calcitonin acts functionally as an antagonist to the parathyroid hormone produced in the parathyroid glands.
Calcitonin promotes calcium, phosphate and sodium excretion via the intestines and kidneys. The peptide hormone also has an analgesic effect. During human growth it inhibits osteoclast function; in adulthood it promotes the incorporation of calcium into the osteoid.
LaboratoryThis section has been translated automatically.
Standard values: Women: up to 5 ng/l. Men: up to 8,4 ng/l.
Calcitonin is used as a tumour marker in medullary thyroid carcinoma.
The normal value for adults is less than 10 ng/l (corresponds to 2.8 pmol/l). Conversion factor from ng/l to pmol/l for calcitonin: ng/l × 0.28 = pmol/l. A too low Calcitonin level probably does not exist. Even in healthy people Calcitonin may be below the detection limit of the currently available tests. An increased value is found:
- rarely in hyperthyroidism
- in medullary thyroid carcinoma (C-cell carcinoma)
- in case of C-cell hyperplasia (e.g. in the context of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type IIa (MEN-IIa)
- for renal failure
- for cirrhosis of the liver
- in neuroendocrine tumors, such as bronchial carcinoma
Remark: For the differential diagnostic evaluation of hypercalcitoninemia a stimulation test with pentagastrin or calcium is indicated (recommendation of the Thyroid Section of the German Society of Endocrinology)
Lowered Calcitonin Values: Calcium concentration in serum is lowered; however, lowered values do not play a role in diagnostics.
TherapyThis section has been translated automatically.
Calcitonin as medicine
Indication: Osteoporosis; Paget's disease (osteodystrophia deformans). Hypercalcemia syndrome in tumor diseases (dosage: 100IE every 6-8h); preventive use in immobile patients to prevent acute bone mass loss (100 IU/die).
Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.
Related to calcitonin is the "Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide" (CGRP), a neuropeptide with effects in the CNS and the peripheral nervous system. CGRP is encoded by the same gene as calcitonin and is produced in the periphery by selective splicing of mRNA (Note: CGRP plays an important pathophysiological role in the pathophysiology of migraine).
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Hermann PT et al (2014) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary, 11th edition, De Gruyter Publishers pp. 320-321