What is a Calcitonin Test?
Calcitonin is a hormone produced by specialised cells in the thyroid gland called C cells. Calcitonin helps regulate calcium levels in the body by reducing the amount of calcium released from bones into the bloodstream. A Calcitonin Test is a blood test that measures the level of calcitonin hormone. Calcitonin levels are usually low in healthy individuals.
The test is most commonly used to help diagnose and monitor medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). It is a rare type of thyroid cancer that develops from the thyroid’s C cells. It may also be used to monitor people who have been treated for medullary thyroid cancer and check for signs that may show that the cancer has returned.
What are the Symptoms that Prompt this Test?
Calcitonin Test may be recommended when a healthcare provider suspects a thyroid condition or needs to evaluate an abnormal thyroid finding, particularly when there is a concern about medullary thyroid cancer.
Symptoms
Calcitonin Test may be recommended if you experience:
- A thyroid nodule or lump in the neck
- Swelling in the neck
- Difficulty while swallowing
- Difficulty in breathing
- Persistent hoarseness
- Neck discomfort for no reason
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
Medullary thyroid cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages but a calcitonin test can be recommended based on findings from a thyroid examination, imaging test, or family history rather than symptoms alone.
Conditions That May Require This Test
A Calcitonin Test may be used to evaluate or monitor:
- Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC)
- C-cell hyperplasia
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
- Thyroid nodules with concerning features
- A family history of medullary thyroid cancer
- Recurrence of medullary thyroid cancer after treatment
The test may also be used to monitor calcitonin levels over time after treatment for medullary thyroid cancer.
How is Calcitonin Test Performed?
Preparation
- Fasting may be required, confirm with your healthcare provider.
- Follow instructions regarding eating, drinking and medication before testing.
- If you take calcium supplements or other medications, tell your healthcare provider and follow instructions accordingly.
- Tell your healthcare provider about any existing thyroid conditions or previous thyroid surgery.
Sample Collection
The test requires a blood sample.
- First, it involves cleaning the skin over the vein.
- Healthcare professional inserts a sterile needle into the vein to draw blood.
- The phlebotomist collects small amount of blood in sample tube.
- The labelled sample is sent to the laboratory securely for investigation.
The procedure usually takes only a few minutes. Experiencing mild discomfort or bruising at the collection site is normal usually.
Lab Analysis
The laboratory analysis determines the amount of calcitonin present in the blood sample. The result is usually reported as a concentration of calcitonin in the blood.
Normal Ranges for Calcitonin Test
The normal range for calcitonin can be different based on the laboratory, testing method, age, and sex.
Typical reference ranges may be approximately:
- Adult males: Less than 25 pg/mL
- Adult females: Less than 20 pg/mL
These values are only general examples. Reference range provided by the testing laboratory should be used when interpreting the result.
Understanding the Results
Healthcare providers interpret the result based on factors such as:
- Age
- Sex
- Laboratory reference range
- Medical history
- Thyroid findings
- Family history of thyroid cancer
- Previous treatment for medullary thyroid cancer
High calcitonin level does not mean a person has cancer. Other conditions and factors may also affect calcitonin levels. The underlying cause can be determined by additional testing recommended by the doctor.
A normal calcitonin level generally means that amount of calcitonin detected in the blood is within the range expected as per age and sex. A normal result does not completely rule out medullary thyroid cancer in every situation.
The reference ranges can be different depending on the laboratory and the methodology used. Individuals must consult their healthcare provider for correct interpretation of the results.
What Happens if Test Results are Not Normal?
An abnormal Calcitonin Test result means that the calcitonin level is outside the expected reference range.
High Calcitonin Levels
Elevated calcitonin levels may be associated with:
- Medullary thyroid cancer
- C-cell hyperplasia
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
- Certain other thyroid conditions
- Some neuroendocrine tumours
- Kidney disease
- Certain gastrointestinal conditions
Calcitonin levels may also be affected by certain medications and other factors.
If calcitonin is high, your healthcare provider may recommend to repeat the test or perform additional investigations to identify the cause.
Low Calcitonin Levels
Low calcitonin levels in general are not considered a significant health concern and usually do not indicate a specific disease.
Your doctor may recommend additional investigations based on overall situation. It may include:
- Thyroid Ultrasound
- Thyroid Biopsy
- Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA)
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Test
- Thyroid Function Tests
- RET Genetic Testing
- CT Scan
- MRI
- PET Scan
Your doctor will provide the right interpretation of the results, depending on all factors involved.
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