1. Calcitonin Dean McHolmes DT-204-2 Research and Development

2. Introduction Calcitonin is secreted by the thyroid hormone. Calcitonin regulates calcium levels in the blood. It is secreted by parafollicular C cells.

3. Disease The physiological significance of calcitonin in humans is very low. For example, patients that have their thyroid gland surgically removed due to thyroid cancer are not hypercalcemic. However, pharmacological doses of calcitonin inhibit osteoclast activity and bone reabsorption.

4. Treatment Calcitonin can be used to treat : Pagets disease Osteoporosis This is done by using injections and nasal sprays.

5. Tests Bone scan Blood test ( serum alkaline phosphatase) X-ray

6. References Martini FH, 2012, Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology, Pearson education, Pearson Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco CA, 9 th edition, 613-614. Fox SI, 2013, Human Physiology, Mc-Graw Hill, Mc-Graw Hill Companies Inc, New York, 13 th edition, 342-343. William C, 2015, Pagets Disease of Bone, Medicinet.com Ellis ME, 2015, Alkaline Phosphate Level Test, Healthline.com Endocrine system: part IV-Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands, Quizlet.com.