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Calcitonin

Thyroid
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Report in 48Hrs

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No Fasting Required

Details

Calcitonin is a hormone secreted by C-cells (parafollicular cells) in the thyroid gland

₹2,400₹2,890

17% OFF

Calcitonin Test Information Guide

  • Why is it done?
    • Test Purpose: Measures calcitonin, a hormone produced by the parafollicular cells (C cells) of the thyroid gland that regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the blood
    • Primary Indications: Screening for and monitoring medullary thyroid cancer (MTC); evaluating nodules of the thyroid; assessing familial medullary thyroid carcinoma syndromes; monitoring treatment response in patients with MTC
    • Clinical Circumstances: When thyroid nodules are detected; family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN); post-operative monitoring after thyroid surgery; evaluation of elevated serum calcium; assessment of bone metabolism disorders
  • Normal Range
    • Reference Values: Basal calcitonin <10 pg/mL (or <10 ng/L) in most adults; some laboratories use <5 pg/mL as upper limit of normal; values may vary by laboratory and assay method
    • Stimulated Calcitonin: After calcium gluconate or pentagastrin stimulation, normal response <100 pg/mL in men and <30 pg/mL in women; stimulation tests enhance sensitivity for detecting medullary thyroid carcinoma
    • Units of Measurement: Picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) or nanograms per liter (ng/L); 1 pg/mL = 1 ng/L
    • Interpretation of Results: Normal = negative for medullary thyroid carcinoma; Elevated (>10 pg/mL) = suspicious for MTC or C-cell hyperplasia; Very High (>100 pg/mL) = highly suggestive of MTC; Borderline values require clinical correlation and possible repeat testing
  • Interpretation
    • Elevated Basal Calcitonin: Strong indicator of medullary thyroid carcinoma; may also occur with C-cell hyperplasia, chronic renal failure, hypercalcemia, or smoking
    • Exaggerated Response to Stimulation: Greater than normal rise after provocation indicates MTC or occult disease; stimulation tests increase sensitivity, particularly for early detection or post-treatment surveillance
    • Normal Basal and Stimulated Levels: Effectively excludes medullary thyroid carcinoma in most cases; good negative predictive value; low risk of disease presence
    • Factors Affecting Results: Smoking elevates calcitonin; chronic kidney disease increases levels; medications (calcium supplements, vitamin D) may influence results; time of day (slight diurnal variation); stress and illness; gender (lower threshold in women)
    • Clinical Significance Patterns: Progressive elevation = tumor growth; Stable elevation = stable disease; Suppression after therapy = treatment efficacy; Serial measurements more informative than single values for monitoring
  • Associated Organs
    • Primary Organ: Thyroid gland (parafollicular C cells); calcium-sensing systems throughout the body
    • Associated Medical Conditions: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (primary indication); Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2A and 2B (MEN2A, MEN2B); Familial medullary thyroid carcinoma; C-cell hyperplasia; Chronic renal failure; Hypercalcemia
    • Diseases Diagnosed or Monitored: Medullary thyroid cancer (90% of cases detected by elevated calcitonin); Hereditary cancer syndromes; Thyroid nodule risk stratification; Post-thyroidectomy recurrence surveillance
    • Potential Complications of Abnormal Results: If MTC confirmed: risk of metastatic disease to lymph nodes, liver, bones, and lungs; hormone secretion (diarrhea from calcitonin gene-related peptide); systemic complications from advanced malignancy; need for aggressive treatment and surveillance
    • Organ System Effects: Skeletal system (calcium homeostasis); renal system (calcium reabsorption); gastrointestinal tract (hormone effects); lymphatic system (metastatic spread risk)
  • Follow-up Tests
    • Imaging Studies: Thyroid ultrasound to evaluate nodule characteristics; CT or MRI of neck for staging; chest CT for lung metastases; bone scintigraphy if bone metastases suspected; PET scan for advanced disease
    • Laboratory Tests: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) - tumor marker for MTC monitoring; Thyroid function tests (TSH, free T4); Calcium and phosphate levels; Genetic testing for RET mutation (if MTC confirmed); 24-hour urine catecholamines (for MEN2 screening)
    • Specialized Testing: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy for suspicious nodules; Stimulation tests (pentagastrin or calcium challenge) for borderline calcitonin levels; Genetic counseling and family screening if hereditary syndrome identified
    • Monitoring Frequency: Post-thyroidectomy MTC: calcitonin and CEA every 3-6 months initially, then annually if suppressed; Family members with RET mutation: baseline calcitonin, then annual screening; Suspected MTC: repeat testing within 1-2 weeks to confirm elevation
    • Complementary Information: CEA levels correlate with tumor burden; Combined calcitonin/CEA doubling times predict prognosis; RET mutation status guides treatment decisions; Family history assessment determines inherited risk
  • Fasting Required?
    • Fasting Status: NO - Fasting is NOT required for calcitonin testing
    • Patient Preparation: Patient may eat and drink normally; arrive in morning (preferred for baseline testing due to diurnal variation); allow 5-10 minutes rest before blood draw; avoid stress if possible
    • Medications to Consider: No specific medications need to be stopped; however, inform healthcare provider of all current medications; calcium supplements and vitamin D should be noted as they may affect interpretation; some laboratories recommend discontinuing smoking 30 minutes before test
    • Special Instructions: Avoid smoking for at least 30 minutes before test (elevates calcitonin); If stimulation test ordered, follow specific protocol (fasting may be required for the stimulation agent); For accurate results, use same laboratory for serial measurements; Report family history of MTC or MEN syndrome
    • Sample Collection: Single blood draw from venipuncture; serum sample required; tube type typically SST (serum separator tube) or EDTA depending on laboratory; sample processing immediate; results available in 1-3 business days

How our test process works!

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