By Taylor Kudirka

Calcitonin is a hormone known to participate in calcium and phosphorus metabolism.

In mammals calcitonin is the C cells in the thyroid gland.

Calcitonin was first purified in 1962 by Chopp and Cheney.

At first they believed it was a secretion of the parathyroid glands and was later identified as the secretion of the C-cells of the thyroid gland.

This hormone participates in calcium and phosphorous metabolism.

Calcitonin counteracts the parathyroid gland.

1. Inhibits calcium absorption by the intestines.

2. Inhibits osteoclast activity in bones.

3. Inhibits renal tubular cell reabsorption of calcium allowing it to be secreted into the urine.

Calcitonin is a polypeptide hormone of 32 amino acids.

It weights about 3454.93 daltons.

Its structure comprises a single alpha helix.

Calcitonin can be used as a tumor maker for medullary thyroid cancer.

It can also be used on biopsy samples to establish whether they are metastasis of the original cancer.

Calcitonin is secreted from the thyroid glands

Calcitonin is very important for women because it helps protect against calcium loss during pregnancy and lactation.

The End