Calcitonin 

Calcitonin (thyrocalcitonin) is a hormone produced by C cells in the thyroid gland. The main action of calcitonin is on the bone. It increases deposition of calcium and phosphate in the bone and lowers levels in the blood, so effectively it inhibits calcium resorption by binding to a specific receptor on the osteoclasts, and inhibits their action. In the kidneys, it decreases the re-absorption of both calcium and phosphate on the proximal tubules. Its overall effect is to decrease the plasma calcium concentration. Secretion is determined mainly by the plasma calcium concentration. Calcitonin is used to treat hypercalcemia and Paget’s disease of the bone.

Calcitonin is involved in regulating levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood. It works by opposing the action of parathyroid hormone, which means that it acts to reduce calcium levels in the blood.

Calcitonin injection is used to treat Paget’s disease of the bone. It may also be used to prevent bone loss in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis and to treat hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood). This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.