thyrocalcitonin secretion disease

Thyrocalcitonin secretion disease, also known as disorder of thyrocalcitonin secretion, is a rare condition that affects the regulation of calcium levels in the body.

• The disease is characterized by an abnormality in the secretion of calcitonin, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that helps regulate calcium levels. [12]
• Calcitonin plays a crucial role in maintaining normal calcium levels by inhibiting bone resorption and promoting calcium excretion in the urine. [13]
• In individuals with thyrocalcitonin secretion disease, the abnormal regulation of calcitonin can lead to an imbalance in calcium levels, resulting in either hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels) or hypocalcemia (low calcium levels). [14]

The exact cause and mechanisms underlying thyrocalcitonin secretion disease are not well understood. However, it is believed that the condition may be related to abnormalities in the regulation of calcitonin secretion, which can be influenced by various factors such as blood calcium levels, substrate control, and other hormonal imbalances.

It's worth noting that there is limited information available on thyrocalcitonin secretion disease, and more research is needed to fully understand its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Thyrocalcitonin secretion disease, also known as medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), is a rare type of cancer that affects the thyroid gland. The signs and symptoms of this disease can vary from person to person, but here are some common ones:

• Calcium deposits in the brain: This can cause balance problems, movement disorders, and seizures [11].
• Clouded vision due to cataracts: Cataracts can develop as a result of calcium deposits in the eyes [11].
• Teeth that become loose or fall out: Calcium deposits can also affect the jawbone, leading to tooth loss [11].
• A change in your voice, such as hoarseness: This can be caused by compression of the laryngeal nerves [12].
• A long-lasting cough when you don't have a cold: This symptom is often associated with lung metastases (cancer spread) [12].
• Diarrhea: Some people may experience changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea [12].

It's worth noting that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, and not everyone with MTC will experience all of them. If you're experiencing any unusual symptoms or have concerns about your thyroid health, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

References: [11] - Calcium deposits in the brain, which can cause balance problems, movement disorders and seizures; Clouded vision due to cataracts; Teeth that become loose or fall out [Context #11] [12] - A change in your voice, such as hoarseness; A long-lasting cough when you don't have a cold; Diarrhea. You have symptoms of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B) [Context #12]

Understanding Diagnostic Tests for Thyrocalcitonin Secretion Disease

Thyrocalcitonin secretion disease, also known as disorder of thyrocalcitonin secretion, is a condition where the thyroid gland secretes abnormal levels of calcitonin. Diagnostic tests are essential to identify this condition and monitor its progression.

• Calcitonin test: This is a blood test that measures the level of calcitonin in the blood. Elevated levels of calcitonin can indicate medullary thyroid cancer, C-cell hyperplasia, or other conditions affecting thyrocalcitonin secretion [1].
• Stimulation tests: These tests involve administering calcium or pentagastrin to stimulate calcitonin secretion. The resulting increase in calcitonin levels can help diagnose and monitor conditions like medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) [9].
• Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves: These are graphical tools used to evaluate the performance of diagnostic tests, including those for thyrocalcitonin secretion disease [10].

Key Points

• The calcitonin test is a sensitive marker for diagnosing and monitoring medullary thyroid cancer.
• Stimulation tests can help diagnose and monitor conditions like MTC.
• ROC curves are used to evaluate the performance of diagnostic tests.

References

[1] Context 1: A calcitonin test measures the level of calcitonin in a sample of your blood. Calcitonin is a hormone that helps control the level of calcium in your blood.

[9] Context 9: by I Vainas · 2013 · Cited by 8 — In these patients, stimulation tests with Ca+2or Pg induce a rise in CT levels and represent well established diagnostic tests which also have prognostic value- ...

[10] Context 10: Understanding diagnostic tests 3: Receiver operating characteristic curves. Akobeng AK Acta Paediatr 2007 May;96(5)

Treatment Options for Thyrocalcitonin Secretion Disease

Thyrocalcitonin secretion disease, also known as calcitonin deficiency, is a rare condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough calcitonin hormone. This can lead to various health issues, including hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels in the blood) and osteoporosis.

Traditional Treatment Approaches

In the past, healthcare providers prescribed synthetic forms of calcitonin as medicine to treat Paget’s disease of the bone, hypercalcemia, and osteoporosis. However, with the introduction of newer drugs, such as bisphosphonates, this form of calcitonin treatment is seldom used [1].

Current Treatment Options

Currently, there are limited treatment options available for thyrocalcitonin secretion disease. In cases of unresectable and symptomatic disease, tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) like vandetanib and cabozantinib may be indicated [5]. However, these treatments have their own set of side effects and limitations.

Intranasal Calcitonin Spray

In 1991, an intranasal calcitonin spray was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hypercalcemia. This treatment option is still available today, although its use has declined with the introduction of newer drugs [6].

Limitations and Side Effects

Unfortunately, tachyphylaxis to the effects of calcitonin develops within a few days, so the benefits of calcitonin therapy in this setting are short-lived [8]. Additionally, treatment with calcitonin can lead to various side effects, including hypocalcemia (elevated calcium levels in the blood).

Future Directions

Further research is needed to develop more effective and targeted treatments for thyrocalcitonin secretion disease. This may involve exploring new therapeutic options or improving existing ones.

References:

[1] Traditional treatment approaches for Paget’s disease of the bone, hypercalcemia, and osteoporosis.

[5] Tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) like vandetanib and cabozantinib for unresectable and symptomatic disease.

[6] FDA approval of intranasal calcitonin spray in 1991.

[8] Tachyphylaxis to the effects of calcitonin.

The differential diagnosis of thyrocalcitonin secretion disease involves considering various conditions that can present with similar symptoms and laboratory findings.

• Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC): This is a rare type of thyroid cancer that originates from the parafollicular C-cells, which produce calcitonin. Elevated levels of calcitonin are often used as a marker for MTC [6][9].
• Calcitonin-negative NET: This is another differential diagnosis to consider, characterized by normal levels of calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), yet positive for other markers [8].
• Hypercalcemia: Elevated calcium levels in the blood can also lead to hypercalcitoninemia, as the body attempts to counteract the high calcium levels with increased calcitonin production [11].
• Renal insufficiency: Impaired kidney function can lead to underexcretion of calcitonin, resulting in elevated levels [11].
• Drug reaction (e.g. β-blockers): Certain medications can stimulate calcitonin secretion, leading to false-positive results [11].

It's essential to consider these differential diagnoses when evaluating patients with suspected thyrocalcitonin secretion disease.

References:

[6] Human CT is derived from Calcitonin I (CALC-I) gene located on chromosome 11p. 5 The transcript of the CALC-I gene subsequently undergoes tissue-specific alternative splicing: CT-I is derived mostly in the thyroid gland, whereas CT-II and CGRP-1 (Calcitonin Gene Related Protein-1), the rest two transcripts, are expressed in the liver and neural tissues, respectively ().

[8] by M Abaalkhail · 2024 — Another differential diagnosis is calcitonin-negative NET, which is also characterized by normal levels of calcitonin and CEA, yet positive ...

[9] by S Filimon · 2018 · Cited by 14 — Objective: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare thyroid malignancy originating from parafollicular C-cells with the potential for aggressive behavior ...

[11] It is clinically used mostly in the diagnosis and follow-up of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Hypercalcitoninemia can be attributed to primary (e.g. CT-secreting tumor) or secondary (e.g. due to hypercalcemia) overproduction, underexcretion (e.g. renal insufficiency), drug reaction (e.g. β-blockers), or false-positive results.