BUT
IS CALCITONIN AN IMPORTANT PHYSIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE?
The observation that
calcitonin (CT) at supraphysiological doses is hypocalcemic, led to
the mistaken conclusion that it was
important for calcium homeostasis and this idea has persisted to this day. Despite these findings
there is no readily apparent pathology due to CT
excess or deficiency and there is no evidence that
circulating CT is
of substantial benefit to any mammal. ���.. .
Mammalian CT at
physiological doses is not essential and very likely the CT gene has survived because of the gene�s
alternate mRNA pathway to produce calcitonin-gene-related peptide found in neural tissues.
HIRSCH,PF and BARUCH H, ENDOCRINE 2003, 201-208
CALCITONIN IS SECRETED FROM THE THYROID PARAFOLLICULAR
CELLS