Calcitonin

Specialist

also —

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: —
Supplements: —
Peptides: —
Drugs: Surgery for medullary thyroid cancer; tyrosine kinase inhibitors for advanced disease.

within Cancer Markers