Calcitonin

Calcitonin is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that helps regulate calcium levels in the body and is involved in the process of bone building.

Calcitonin levels in the blood drop after a person has his or her thyroid gland removed. But medicine is not needed to replace this lost hormone.

Calcitonin sometimes is used as treatment to relieve pain from spinal fractures related to osteoporosis. It is not known how calcitonin decreases pain.

Current as of: November 28, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH - Geriatric Medicine

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