Calcitonin

CALCITONINBy: Bryce Williams

Where its produced and target cell

This hormone is naturally produced in humans primarily by the use of the thyroid gland.

Calcitonin inhibits the bone by removal of osteoclasts that cause of removal of bone cells and replaces it with osteoblasts which builds the bones cells back up.

Causes for it to be produced?

When levels of calcium in the blood decrease, this causes the amount of calcitonin secreted to decrease too so that there can be an equilibrium within the blood.

Most Active Period Since calcitonin primary function is to aid

the process of bone building, it is imperative to the growing process especially when a child begins puberty.

Calcitonin Diagram

How does it enter the target cell?

Calcitonin works to decrease serum calcium concentrations by inhibiting the processes of osteoclast found within the bone tissue and by increasing calcium excretion in urine.

Typical Amounts A normal vale of calcitonin in the blood is

less than 10 pictograms per milliliter. Values differ between males and females.

What affect does it have ? When bone is broken down, the calcium

contained in the bone is released into the bloodstream. Therefore, the inhibition of the osteoclasts by calcitonin directly reduces the amount of calcium released into the blood.

Atypical Amounts Medullary thyroid cancer is a rare type of

cancer that arises from the C-cells in the thyroid gland that secrete calcitonin. It is important to note that these high calcitonin levels are a symptom of this condition and not a contributing factor.

There does not seem to be any effect on the body as a result of having too little calcitonin.

Low levels of Calcitonin

Continued…

Rickets Disease

Synthetic Drug Replacement

Calcitonin-salmon is a man-made version of calcitonin, that is naturally made in salmon. This drug could be used for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis, Paget's disease of bone, and hypercalcemia. The FDA approved calcitonin intranasal spray in March 1991.

Medical Treatment If symptoms of medullary thyroid cancer

is present, extensive medical procedures and surgeries are required.

Anabolic drugs such as Teriparatide, are taken when there is not enough calcitonin produced in the body. It slows the rate of bone decalcification from osteoporosis and builds bone at the same rate.