How does calcitonin work

However, this inhibition has been shown to be short-lived. It can also decrease the resorption of calcium in the kidneys , again leading to lower blood calcium levels. How is calcitonin controlled? What happens if I have too much calcitonin? What happens if I have too little calcitonin? Last reviewed: Feb Prev. Related Endocrine Conditions. Osteoporosis Hypercalcaemia Thyroid cancer Rickets Paget's disease Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B Familial medullary thyroid cancer View all Endocrine conditions.

Related Hormones. Parathyroid hormone Somatostatin Thyroxine View all Hormones. Related Glands. Kidneys Parathyroid glands Thyroid gland View all Glands. Related Glossary Supplements. In humans, calcitonin has at best a minor role in regulating blood concentrations of calcium. One interesting piece of evidence to support this statement is that humans with chronically increased medullary thyroid cancer or decreased surgical removal of the thyroid gland levels of calcitonin in blood usually do not show alterations from normal in serum calcium concentration.

Addition information on calcitonin and calcium balance can be found in the section Endocrine Control of Calcium and Phosphate Homeostasis. The most prominent factor controlling calcitonin secretion is the extracellular concentration of ionized calcium. Elevated blood calcium levels strongly stimulate calcitonin secretion, and secretion is suppressed when calcium concentration falls below normal.

A number of other hormones have been shown to stimulate calcitonin release in certain situations, and nervous controls also have been demonstrated. A large number of diseases are associated with abnormally increased or decreased levels of calcitonin, but pathologic effects of abnormal calcitonin secretion per se are not generally recognized.

There are several therapeutic uses for calcitonin. PTH is a small protein hormone that is integral to the regulation of the level of calcium in the blood via the bone, kidneys, and intestines. PTH works in concert with another hormone, calcitonin, that is produced by the thyroid to maintain calcium homoeostasis. Parathyroid hormone acts to increase blood calcium levels, while calcitonin acts to decrease blood calcium levels.

This interaction between parathyroid hormone and calcitonin is also an important part of bone remodeling. This is a lifelong process where mature bone tissue is removed from the skeleton and new bone tissue is formed. Calcium regulation : Parathyroid hormone regulates the levels of calcium in the blood. Privacy Policy. Skip to main content.

Endocrine System. Search for:. The Parathyroid Glands.