Calcitonin - blood test and what it means

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 00:05

Thyrocalcitonin is a hormone that in all mammals (including humans) is produced by specific cells of the thyroid gland. The product of parafollicular cells of the endocrine gland is responsible for the metabolic processes of phosphorus and calcium, and is involved in maintaining the balance of the activity of individual groups of multinucleated cells of vertebrates. How is a blood test for calcitonin and what it means - find out further.

The hormone and its properties

Calcitonin is a thyroid hormone whose functions are multifaceted, but still not fully understood. Some information (for example, the effect on the concentration of biologically active substances in the reproductive system of men and women) is still at the level of assumptions made on the basis of the discovery of the calcitonin receptor.

It is a peptide hormone classified in this category based on its chemical nature. The list of pathological conditions indicated by a decreased or increased concentration is quite extensive, but in the presence of additional diagnostic criteria, it becomes an indication of pathology or confirmation of diagnostic guesses.

It is difficult for a person without a certain level of special knowledge to understand what calcitonin means in a blood test. The main functions performed by this hormone in the body are numerous:

1. Participation in the balance of the activity of osteoblasts - young bone tissue cells synthesizing the matrix (intercellular substance), stimulation of their functionality and reproduction.
2. Maintaining balance in the functionality of osteoclasts (cells that destroy abnormal mineral and cartilaginous deposits in the bone system), enhancing their vigorous activity to capture calcium and phosphates.
3. Inhibition of bone resorption (destruction of bone tissue with their direct participation) due to inhibition of reproduction and functional activity of osteoclasts.
4. Increasing the level of calcium in the bloodstream with the simultaneous excretion of sodium and uric acid.
5. Anti-inflammatory effect and decreased gastric acid production.
6. Stimulation of the production of vitamin D for the productive assimilation of calcium entering the body. This hormone accelerates the exchange of mineral components in the bone tissue.

Calcitonin serves as a tumor marker in some oncological processes. The main sign of pathology is an overabundance of the hormone, but its inconsistency with the lower limit is also an important criterion in diagnosis.

The significance of the peptide hormone level is not limited only by oncology. What calcitonin means in a blood test is determined by the current situation and the clinical picture.

The main objectives of the study

Calcitonin is called a parathyroid hormone antagonist. The latter is produced by the parathyroid glands. He is responsible for the following functions:

• increased calcium levels in the bloodstream;
• influence on osteoclasts and osteoblasts;
• inhibition of excessive synthesis of bone cells.

Calcitonin, as its enemy, is responsible for the return of calcium from excretions (urine), while simultaneously activating the synthesis of vitamin D, which is responsible for the absorption of calcium in the body. Given all these features of activity, it is possible to determine what a blood test for calcitonin means as follows:

• make an impression about the work of internal organs and give them a certain assessment;
• diagnose medullary cancer in the thyroid gland at an early stage;
• check the condition of the mammary glands, the presence of pathological processes in them;
• diagnose disorders in calcium metabolism;
• determine the presence of osteoporosis, bone diseases and fractures;
• to identify changes in the patient's body after iatrogenic intervention for the thyroid gland to determine the tactics of rehabilitation.

The basis for the appointment of an analysis is the presence of alarming signs, but doctors are sure of the need for laboratory tests for preventive purposes at least once every 12 months.

In women during the period of gestation and during breastfeeding, the need for analysis is doubtful, since the level of the hormone increases in physiological terms. As soon as the processes stop, the level of the peptide hormone returns to normal.

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Norm and pathology

The concept of a conditional norm differs according to several criteria - age and sex, according to the method used in the production of the analysis. All this is clearly demonstrated by the data presented in the table below.

Category	Normal indicator, dependence	ELISA	IKHLA
women	Age, pregnancy and lactation, menopause	0.07-5.0 pg / mg	0-1.46 pmol / l,
men	Exceeding the level of the conditional norm due to improper preparation for delivery	0, 68-8, 4 pg / mg	more than 1, 95 pmol / l.
children	Breast period	up to 45 pg / mg	By gender, as in adults

A high level of calcitonin may equally indicate renal failure, pernicious anemia, cirrhosis, and thyroid tumor. Without taking into account other laboratory and instrumental studies, one cannot speak of a reliable diagnosis, but it can be assumed that a certain pathology develops in the body.

Acceptable errors

In no case should you try to independently determine what calcitonin means in a blood test, since women have a norm in terms of age and physiological stage. A typical example is pregnancy and menopause.

Even if it is at zero, this may be a variant of the norm, but if the indicator shows a significant excess, and this is not during pregnancy or lactation, you need to worry. Doctors are confident that a reduced value, indicated in some sources as safe, indicates the need for an examination to identify problems in the body.

Trying to independently decipher what a test for calcitonin in a blood test means, you need to take into account other nuances:

• a reduced level is normal for a woman who has entered the postmenstrual period;
• an excess of the indicator can be caused by intravenous administration of Ca, hormone replacement therapy, and permanent or heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• the level also depends on the time of day: if you take the analysis around noon, it will be an indicator that is increased to a normal level;
• in breastfed babies, the concentration of the peptide hormone increases, since calcium enters the baby's body from breast milk;
• in children there is no difference in the indices of calcitonin by gender, if the study is carried out using the immunochemiluminescent technique;
• ELISA has separate standards for women of reproductive age and girls, men and boys;
• a decrease in calcitonin during menopause is a relative norm, but it may indicate the development of osteoporosis.

When to take the analysis, the attending physician decides, who, on the basis of a physical examination and medical history, has certain concerns. You can take it once a year, for preventive purposes, but to obtain reliable data, you need to properly prepare for laboratory testing.

Preparation for analysis

As in some other cases, it is necessary to avoid physical effort, stress and conflict situations, drink alcohol and eat unhealthy food at least a day before the procedure. In men, data distortion is often observed due to non-compliance with the recommendations - consumption on the eve of alcohol, smoking less than 3 hours before sampling the biomaterial. Women of childbearing age may have an incorrect result if they have not stopped taking oral contraceptives in less than a day.

Outcomes

Calcitonin is a peptide hormone produced in small amounts by the thyroid gland and intestines. The studies are deciphered in relation to the conditional norm indicator and taking into account other diagnostic data obtained. Exceeding the norm can be caused by a violation of the testing rules or pathological processes.

A lowered level of the hormone requires an examination to detect pathological processes. There are two methods of analysis, and each has its own standards. Deciphering the indicators should be dealt with by a person with certain professional knowledge.