Calcitonin – meaning, action, deficiency, excess

Calcitonin, which is also a tumor marker for medullary thyroid cancer, is another hormone described by experts collaborating with ONSEN® in response to requests from from readers of the best blog about sleep.

Just like with almost every hormone, even the slightest disruption in calcitonin levels can result in imbalances in the entire hormonal system. Our biopsychosocial functioning throughout the day and the ability to have comfortable and restorative sleep at night depend on this system.

 

Therefore, it is important not only to know what calcitonin is, but also what its effects are. This can help predict the risks of calcitonin deficiency or excess and identify any potential symptoms of illness early on.

Calcitonin, also known as thyrocalcitonin, is one of the important peptide hormones secreted by thyroid cells, especially C cells. It is synthesized from procalcitonin, which serves as its precursor and is processed into the active form of calcitonin.

In addition, calcitonin plays an important role in regulating blood calcium levels by inhibiting bone resorption, which is the process of releasing calcium from bones into the blood. Thus, the action of calcitonin is opposite to that of parathyroid hormone, a hormone produced by the parathyroid glands, which increases blood calcium levels.

The normal range of calcitonin in adults' blood is from 8.3 nmol/L to 22.0 nmol/L.

Calcitonin is a peptide hormone that plays a crucial role in the regulation of calcium metabolism. It is produced by thyroid cells, mainly C cells, and serves both hormonal and neuromodulatory functions.

The action of calcitonin is primarily related to the regulation of blood calcium levels by inhibiting bone resorption, which is the process of releasing calcium from bones into the blood. Calcitonin acts antagonistically to parathyroid hormone, a hormone produced by the parathyroid glands, which increases blood calcium levels by increasing calcium resorption from bones and reabsorption of calcium from the kidneys.

In addition, calcitonin regulates sodium excretion in urine, influences the function of the digestive system, and may affect sleep, mood, and libido. Calcitonin also plays a role in the diagnosis and monitoring of thyroid cancer, as it is often used as a tumor marker, especially in cases of medullary thyroid cancer.

The concentration of calcitonin in the blood is tightly regulated, and normal concentration ranges vary depending on age, gender, and the patient's health status. Calcitonin deficiency is rare and may be associated with thyroid damage or surgical removal of the thyroid. Diagnosis of calcitonin deficiency is based on the assessment of clinical symptoms and laboratory test results.

Calcitonin deficiency may be associated with thyroid disorders, in which it is produced. The most commonly observed causes of calcitonin deficiency include:

Persistent low levels of calcitonin in the blood are not desirable. However, calcitonin deficiency usually does not cause significant health complications, as it affects almost exclusively individuals who have undergone thyroidectomy.

Excess calcitonin is most commonly associated with hormonal disorders. The most frequently observed causes of excess calcitonin include:

Persistent high levels of calcitonin in the blood are not desirable. The most commonly reported effects of excess calcitonin include:

Collaborating with ONSEN® Health and Rehabilitation Psychologist, Mateusz Nesterok, draws attention to the consequences of an excess of calcitonin. While calcitonin is essential for life and plays a positive role, maintaining its optimal level is crucial for maintaining health. An excess of calcitonin can cause disturbances in blood calcium levels, leading to osteoporosis or other conditions related to calcium deficiency.

He points out that although low levels of calcitonin do not typically cause significant clinical symptoms, they may indicate serious medical conditions. If it is not a result of thyroidectomy, it may indicate medullary thyroid carcinoma or hormonal issues. Therefore, calcitonin deficiency always requires prompt medical intervention.

As scientific research has shown, blood calcium levels can significantly affect sleep architecture and have a significant impact on our calcium levels. Additionally, calcitonin can indirectly cause sleep difficulties, as it, along with other thyroid hormones, affects the secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland. Meanwhile, other research findings suggest that the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) by the pituitary gland may be associated with sleep disorders, particularly with an excess of TSH.

Maintaining an optimal level of calcitonin in the blood promotes comfortable, healthy sleep. This, in turn, requires a functional mattress that provides ideal body support and spinal support. Maintaining the physiological curves of the spine during sleep and allowing the body to fully relax has a beneficial effect on all its systems, including the hormonal system.

ONSEN® offers the Osaka Air mattress, which is the most functional mattress available on the market. It meets the needs of the most demanding consumers, meeting all 10 basic functionalities of the mattress, as well as being a first-class medical device.

All ONSEN® products are subject to a 15-year warranty, as well as a 100-day return program, which minimizes the risk of purchase to zero.

We also encourage you to read the other articles on the best sleep and health blog, as well as the Encyclopedia of Healthy Sleep prepared by the team of ONSEN® specialists.