← Blood tests
Calcitonin
Specialistalso —
What it isA hormone produced by C cells of the thyroid gland that helps regulate calcium homeostasis.
DoesLowers blood calcium by inhibiting bone resorption; serves as the tumor marker for medullary thyroid cancer.
GoodLow calcitonin signals no medullary thyroid cancer.
BadElevated calcitonin suggests medullary thyroid carcinoma, particularly in those with a thyroid nodule or family history of MEN2.
- Standard
- Men <12 pg/mL; women <5 pg/mL.
- Optimal
- 0–10 pg/mL men, 0–5 pg/mL women (lower is good)
- Modifiers
- Rises with proton pump inhibitors, kidney disease.
How to optimize
- Lifestyle
- —
- Diet
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- Supplements
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- Peptides
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- Drugs
- Surgery for medullary thyroid cancer; tyrosine kinase inhibitors for advanced disease.
Reference ranges are general adult lab norms; optimal ranges are editorial picks from the longevity literature — not medical advice. Always interpret results with your physician.
within Cancer Markers