Calcitonin (CT)

Calcitonin(CT) is a 32 amino acid peptide hormone secreted by the para-follicular C-cells of the thyroid gland under serum calcium control. After acute administration this peptide acts as a potent hypocalcemic and hypophosphatemic hormone by increasing renal calcium clearance and reducing bone resorption. However its precise physiological role...
The measurement of CT is used for :

• diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
• follow up of malignant tumors, to check the success of surgery and to monitor for recurrence
• diagnosis of the preclinical cases of the familial forms of MTC (MEN II or Sipple syndrome) by the use of stimulation tests (calcium or pentagastrin)
• study of the pathophysiology of the calcium-phosphate and bone metabolism