Chapter 35, Problem 31A

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

That the overproduction of calcitonin disrupts homeostasis in systems other than the endocrine system.

Introduction:

Hormones are called the chemical messengers as they are secreted directly in the circulatory system. With the help of blood, the hormones reach the organs and the tissue to maintain their function. There are many types of hormones that are secreted in the body to maintain the processes and function. Thyroxin and triiodothyronine are the two hormones secreted by thyroid glands, insulin, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, etc.

Explanation of Solution

The calcitonin is produced by the thyroid gland; this hormone is responsible for the calcium regulation in the body that is an important mineral for bone health. It also involves the maintenance of the blood clotting process, muscular contraction, and nerve function. If the calcitonin signals to the bones when there is a decrease in the calcium level to absorbs calcium and send a signal to the kidney to produce more calcium. The calcitonin and parathyroid hormones are interrelated. The calcitonin is involved in maintaining the calcium level inside the blood but when the blood calcium level gets decrease parathyroid hormone is produced. The increase and decrease in the calcitonin levels can affect the homeostasis of the endocrine system. There is no direct deleterious effect of too much calcitonin in the body but in medullary thyroid cancer that occurs from the C-cells in the thyroid glands involve in the calcitonin secretion it results in the over secretion calcitonin. It is sometimes associated with the multiple endocrine neoplasia 2a and 2b. While testing it is being observed that in the bloodstream of medullary thyroid cancer patients the calcitonin level is very high.

Conclusion

Thus, it is concluded that secretion of too much calcitonin disrupts the homeostasis of the endocrine system by causing an effect on multiple endocrine neoplasia 2a and 2b.