Synonyms

Clinical Indications

Calcitonin is produced by the parafollicular or C-cells of the thyroid gland. Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a tumour of the calcitonin-producing C-cells which occurs in a sporadic and in an inherited form. As some MTCs are hereditary it is important to screen all family members for excess calcitonin when a case is diagnosed.
Calcitonin is also used in confirmed MTC to monitor treatment, assess prognosis and detect recurrance

Availability

Analysed by referral laboratory if specific criteria met.

Specific Criteria

Screening, diagnosis or monitoring of MTC. In cases of familial origin, calcitonin can be used as a screening test.

Patient Preparation

Patient does not need to be fasting.

Turnaround Time

3 weeks

Specimen

Serum

Volume

2 ml

Container

Yellow Top  (SST) tube

Collection

Samples should be transported to laboratory immediately.

Lab. Handling

Separate 2 aliquots within 30 minutes of collection into PLASTIC tubes and freeze at minus 20’C. Send sample to referral laboratory frozen.

Causes for Rejection

Not meeting specific criteria for analysis. Delay in sample reaching laboratory. Visible haemolysis invalidates the results.

Reference Range

Less than 0.08 ug/L

Interpretation

In early disease basal levels of calcitonin may be normal. Increased diagnostic sensitivity may be obtained using pentagastrin stimulation.
Calcitonin may be raised in other malignancies (breast, lung, pancreas), phaeochromocytoma, renal failure, hyperparathyroidism and Paget's disease.