noun
- A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates calcium levels in the blood by inhibiting bone resorption and promoting calcium excretion.
Usage: medical/scientific term; also produced by the parathyroid glands in some organisms
Examples
- Calcitonin helps maintain proper calcium balance in the body.
- The thyroid gland secretes calcitonin in response to high blood calcium levels.
- Doctors may prescribe calcitonin to treat osteoporosis in some patients.
- Calcitonin works by slowing the breakdown of bone tissue.
- Blood tests can measure calcitonin levels to assess thyroid function.