Serum Calcitonin (Calcitonin)
32-amino-acid peptide hormone synthesized and secreted by the parafollicular C-cells of the thyroid gland.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangespg/mL
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
<10.0 pg/mL (males), <5.0 pg/mL (females)
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
<3.0 pg/mL (undetectable)
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Opposes parathyroid hormone at pharmacological doses by inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption and increasing renal calcium excretion.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (Calcitonin High)
- •Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC, often >100 pg/mL)
- •C-cell hyperplasia
- •MEN 2A and 2B syndromes
- •Small cell lung carcinoma
Low Levels (Calcitonin Low)
- •Normal basal C-cell state
- •Total thyroidectomy
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Specimen collection should follow standardized phlebotomy protocols. Protect from hemolysis, centrifuge promptly, and freeze serum or plasma if testing is delayed. Patient should be in a resting, fasting state where indicated.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker quantification for Calcitonin
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to medullary thyroid c-cell activity
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Serum Calcitonin - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33990124
- [2]Calcitonin Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35222901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Serum Calcitonin (Calcitonin) into overall healthspan optimization.