Calcitonin Function, Definition, Side Effects And Dosage

Calcitonin (also called thyrocalcitonin) is a 32-amino acid linear polypeptide hormone which is mainly by the parafollicular cells (also known as c-cells) of the thyroid gland, and by the many other animals in the ultimopharyngeal body Is produced. It works to reduce blood calcium (Ca2 +), while opposing the effects of pterothyroid hormone (PTH).

Calcitonin has been found in fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. Its importance in humans is not well established in other animals as its importance, because its function is usually not important in the regulation of normal calcium homeostasis. It belongs to the calcitonin-like protein family.

Calcitonin is a hormone produced in human beings by the thyroid gland’s parafollicular cells (usually known as c-cells). Calcitonin is involved in helping control the level of calcium and phosphate in the blood, opposing the action of parathyroid hormone.. This means that it works to reduce the level of calcium in the blood. However, the importance of this role in humans is unclear, because such patients who have very low or very high levels of Calcitonin do not show any adverse effects.

Calcitonin Reduces Calcium Levels In Blood By Two Main Mechanisms:

1. This prevents the activity of osteoclasts, which are the cells responsible for breaking bones. When the bone breaks, the calcium contained in the bone is left in the blood stream. Therefore, obstruction of osteoclasts by Calcitonin directly reduces the amount of calcium released in the blood. However, this barrier has been shown short-term.
2. It can also reduce calcium rehabilitation in the kidney, which reduces low blood calcium level.

The forms of Calcitonin are given in the past, for the treatment of  Paget’s disease of bone and sometimes hypercalcaemia and bone pain. However, with the introduction of new drugs such as bisphosphonates, their use is now very limited.

What is Calcitonin Controlled?
The secretion of both Calcitonin and parathyroid hormone is determined by the level of calcium in the blood. When calcium levels increase in blood, Calcitonin is secreted in high doses. When calcium levels in the blood decrease, it also reduces calcium intake.

The Calcitonin secretion hormone is also blocked by somatostatin, which can also be released by the C-cells in the thyroid gland.

What Happens If I Have Too Much Calcitonin?
Being too much Calcitonin does not seem to have any direct harmful effects on the body.

Medial thyroid cancer is a rare type of cancer that is caused by the thyroid gland from the C-cells, which contract the Calcitonin. It is sometimes associated with  multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2a and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b. Patients with brain thyroid cancer have high Calcitonin levels in their blood flow. However, it is important to note that these high Calcitonin levels are the result of this condition, not the direct cause factor.

What Happens if I Have Very Little Calcitonin?
There is no clinical effect on the body as a result of very few calcitonin. Patients whose thyroid gland has been removed, and have a known level of calcitonin in their blood, as a result there are no adverse symptoms or signs.