Calcitonin (ct) – reference values, indications for the test, course of the test and interpretation of the results

What is calcitonin (ct)?

Calcitonin (CT) is a hormone produced by thyroid cells, called C cells. It is a substance responsible for regulating the level of calcium in the blood by inhibiting bone resorption processes and increasing the excretion of calcium by the kidneys. Additionally, calcitonin plays a key role in diagnosing and monitoring certain thyroid and skeletal diseases.

Indications for ct level testing

Calcitonin level testing is performed to assess thyroid function and diagnose various conditions. The main indications for this test are:

• Monitoring patients with spinal thyroid cancer – CT scan levels after surgery are intended to detect tumor recurrence.
• Diagnosing multiple internal adenomatosis syndrome type 2A (MEN 2A) – this is an inherited syndrome that increases the risk of medullary thyroid cancer.
• Diagnosing medullary thyroid cancer in patients with symptoms such as a mass in the thyroid area, shortness of breath, or pain.

Preparation and course of the ct concentration test

Before proceeding to the examination of the CT level, there are some recommendations for preparation:

• The patient should not consume food or drink for at least 8 hours before the examination.
• If you are taking medications, especially thyroid medications, your doctor may advise you to stop taking them a few days before the test.
• The test involves taking a blood sample, so it is not invasive and takes only a few minutes.

Ct examination – norms, interpretation of examination results

Reference values for calcitonin levels in blood serum are usually:

• For adults: less than 10 pg/mL.
• In newborns and infants, the standards are higher and amount to 70 pg/mL.

The CT level test result can be interpreted as follows:

• A result below the norm indicates normal thyroid function.
• Elevated CT levels may suggest the presence of a thyroid medullary tumor or other thyroid disorders.
• If the result is positive for an elevated CT level, further diagnostics are necessary, including imaging tests (e.g. ultrasound, computed tomography).

Ct level examination – price/reimbursement, referral

The costs of calcitonin level testing may vary depending on the medical facility and region of the country. In some cases, this test is covered by reimbursement from the National Health Fund (NFZ), especially in the case of patients who meet certain clinical criteria.

A referral for a CT level test may be made by an endocrinologist, internist or thyroid surgeon if there are justified medical indications for it.

Your suggestions

If you have concerns about your thyroid health or there is a risk of hereditary MEN 2A in your family, consult your doctor who will decide whether to test your calcitonin levels. It is worth checking your thyroid health regularly, especially if you have a family history of thyroid disease.

Recommended articles

If you are interested in topics related to the thyroid gland, we recommend reading other articles on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of thyroid diseases. It is important to become educated about this and monitor your health regularly to avoid serious complications.