Definition

Calcitonin is a hormone which facilitates the binding of calcium on bone tissue, reducing the rate of calcium in the blood.

Physiology

Calcitonin is a protein, specifically a polypeptide that is a string of amino acids. It is secreted by the thyroid C cells and has nothing to do with other thyroid hormones themselves say such as thyroxine among others. The primary role of calcitonin is inhibition of osteoclast. Osteoclasts are cells of the bone which possess the ability to absorb the bony skeleton. Inhibition of the destruction of bone prevents the calcium to leave it and go to the blood. Thus, calcitonin has for main interest of reduce blood calcium levels when it is pathologically (unusually) high. Other properties of calcitonin are the limitation of the absorption of calcium by the intestine and the emphasis of its excretion by the kidneys. The secretion of calcitonin is under the orders of natural regulation. Indeed, an increase of the calcium that is of the level of calcium in the blood, this causes stimulation of the secretion of calcitonin. Finally, the exaggeration of certain hormones such as cholecystokinin and gastrin secretion plays exactly the same role.

Treatment

Calcitonin, of animal origin (from pigs salmon) or (exactly the same as human calcitonin) synthetic calcitonin, genetically synthesized, is used to treat certain bone diseases such as osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, hypercalcemia, and less the dystrophy. The therapeutic use of calcitonin is generally intramuscular injection. It can also be nasal as inhalation. Calcitonin has side effects (non-exhaustive list):

• Flushing (redness occurring brutally).
• Allergy.
• Digestive disorders in type of nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea).
• Abdominal pain.