Calcitonin

Also known as: Human calcitonin; Thyrocalcitonin

Formal name: Calcitonin

Related tests: RET oncogene; Calcium

At a Glance

Why Get Tested?

To help diagnose and monitor C-cell hyperplasia and medullary thyroid cancer; to screen those at risk for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2)

When to Get Tested?

When your doctor suspects that you have or when you are being treated for medullary thyroid cancer, or when a family member has medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2

Sample Required?

A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm

Test Preparation Needed?

None

This article was last reviewed on November 24, 2008. | This page was last modified on March 6, 2010.

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