A calcitonin The test will determine the level of calcitonin in your blood monster. Calcitonin is a hormone that helps control the amount of calcium in your blood. Calcitonin is produced in the thyroid gland by cells called “C cells”. The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck.
You usually have small amounts of calcitonin in your blood. But in very large amounts this can be a symptom.
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare cancer that occurs when the C cells in the thyroid gland get out of control C cells grow inside the thyroid gland, called the medulla.
- C-cell hyperplasia is a rare condition that causes an abnormal increase in the number of C cells in the thyroid gland. c-cell dysplasia can grow into thyroid cancer.
Your care provider can a calcitonin see if there are signs of these diseases or if they occur in your family.
Other names: tyrocalcitonin, Connecticut, human. calcitonin , hCT
What is it used for?
A calcitonin The test is typically used to
- Help diagnose C-cell hyperplasia and medullary thyroid cancer in symptomatic individuals.
- Discover if healing thyroid cancer works
- Find out if medullary thyroid cancer returns after treatment
- Find out who is at highest risk for thyroid cancer. This risk is higher for people with a family history of a rare genetic disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (male 2).
There are a variety of types 2 that often cause tumors in certain hormone-producing glands, including the thyroid gland. All male 2 types increase the risk of medullary thyroid cancer.2 It is caused by a change in the RET gene. A change in a gene is also called a genetic mutation or mutation.
If one of your guardians passes you an altered RET gene, you can pass on two inherited and increased risks of medullary thyroid cancer. If you have a male 2 in your family, you can regularly calcitonin Tests can help detect cancer in its early stages when it is easier to treat.
Why do I need a calcitonin test?
You may need a calcitonin Test for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid cancer or C-cell hyperplasia, if
- There are signs of one of the disorders, which could well be a connection
- Lump in front of the neck
- Swollen lymph nodes (also called “swollen glands”) in the neck
- Sore throat
- Swallowing or breathing problems
- Changes in your voice, such as ho voice.
- Prolonged cough if you do not have a cold
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- depression
- Bone and joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased desire and peeing.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Headache
- ARAITHM (the speed or rhythm of the mind)
- Sweat.
If thyroid cancer is established with you, you must calcitonin testing to:
- Check how well your healing is progressing.
- Check to see if the cancer has returned after your healing is complete.
What happens during a calcitonin test?
The caregiver takes a blood sample from a vein in your arm with a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected in a test tube or vial. Some pressure can be felt when the needle is in and out. This usually takes less than 5 minutes.
Do I need to prepare for the test?
You may need to fast (do not eat or drink) a few hours before the test. Your doctor will tell you if you should fast and if there are any special instructions you should follow.
Was there any risk in the test?
Blood tests are not risky enough. There will be slight pain and bruising in the area where the needle is inserted, but most signs will disappear quickly.
What do the results mean?
The meaning of your calcitonin The results of a test depend on the premise being tested. If you have a calcitonin test:
To help diagnose or screen for thyroid cancer or C-cell hyperplasia:
- A normal calcitonin level, it could mean that neither situation is present, but does not rule them out. This is because thyroid cancer and C-cell hyperplasia do not always cause high thyroid disease. calcitonin Your doctor can order other tests to find out more.
- A high calcitonin This level means that the C cells in the thyroid gland are doing a lot of work. calcitonin The higher the level, the more likely it is that you have thyroid cancer or C-cell hyperplasia. However, high calcitonin levels can be caused by other disorders, such as other forms of cancer, certain medications, or pregnancy. To make a diagnosis, doctors look at other information, including the results of other tests.
- A low calcitonin Levels are not a popular medical problem.
The meaning of your test results depends on the type of healing you received or underwent: to predict healing of thyroid cancer or to find out if the cancer has returned after healing. Curing is usually done after surgery to remove the thyroid gland. Other healing methods are radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or medications.
- A calcitonin level that drops and stays low over time usually means that your healing is progressing.
- A calcitonin Levels that are falling but still higher than normal could mean that there is still cancerous material in your body. Perhaps more research and healing is needed.
- A calcitonin Numbers that increase over time usually mean that your cancer has returned or spread to other parts of your body.
Ask your doctor what the test results mean for your health.
Is there anything else I should know? a calcitonin test?
In some cases, your doctor may be able to more specific types of of calcitonin test called a ” calcitonin stimulation test. During this test, a blood sample is taken as usual. During this time, you will be given medication in your body calcitonin Intravenous (IV) IV medicine will be injected. More blood samples will then be taken within minutes of each other. In your event calcitonin Almost everything in the blood sample will increase. This may mean that you have C-cell hyperplasia or medullary thyroid cancer, but other tests will be needed to find this.
MedlinePlus from the State Medical Library provides. & lt; pran & gt; The increasing degree over time usually means that your cancer has returned or spread to other parts of your body.
