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Circulating calcitonin in lactating women.
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|April 1, 1979
Summary
Lactating women may have elevated calcitonin (CT) levels, with measurable amounts found in one-third of subjects. Further research is needed to understand the causes of hypercalcitoninemia during lactation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
- Mineral Metabolism
Background:
- Calcitonin (CT) is a hormone involved in calcium regulation.
- Lactation is a period of significant physiological change, particularly in calcium homeostasis.
- Previous animal studies suggest altered CT levels during lactation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether lactating women exhibit elevated levels of immunoreactive calcitonin (CT).
- To compare CT levels in women with short-term versus long-term lactation.
- To explore potential CT secretory responses in lactating women.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of plasma calcitonin (CT) levels in lactating women and nonlactating controls.
- Categorization of lactating women into short-term (<4 months) and long-term (17-73 months) groups.
- Provocative testing with pentagastrin and calcium in some subjects with measurable CT.
Main Results:
- Elevated and measurable CT levels were found in 2 of 18 short-term lactating women.
- CT levels were undetectable in all 16 nonlactating control subjects.
- All six long-term lactating women studied had measurable CT levels, though secretory responses to provocative tests were inconsistent.
Conclusions:
- Approximately one-third of lactating women studied demonstrated measurable plasma calcitonin levels.
- Findings align with animal studies indicating hypercalcitoninemia during lactation.
- The underlying factors driving elevated CT levels in lactating women require further investigation.