Online Encyclopedia
Calcitonin
Calcitonin is a hormone which participates in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Specifically, it reduces blood calcium levels in three ways: decreasing calcium absorption by the intestines, increasing calcium storage in bones and increasing calcium excretion through the kidney. Most calcitonin in the human body is produced in the chief cells of the thyroid gland.
Calcitonin is used for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Last updated: 02-09-2005 02:54:49
Last updated: 03-13-2005 10:35:26