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Increased serum calcitonin in pregnancy
Journal of the National Medical Association
|January 1, 1981
Summary
Calcitonin hormone levels are elevated in most pregnant women throughout pregnancy and postpartum. This increase may protect the mother's skeleton and aid fetal calcium accumulation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
- Mineral Metabolism
Background:
- Calcitonin is a polypeptide hormone produced by C cells, known for its hypocalcemic and hypophosphatemic effects.
- Previous reports suggest elevated calcitonin levels in pregnant women at the time of delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate calcitonin levels in pregnant women across all trimesters and the early postpartum period.
- To explore the relationship between calcitonin levels and serum calcium and phosphate during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay was used to measure calcitonin levels.
- The study included 56 pregnant women across all trimesters and the early postpartum period.
Main Results:
- Elevated calcitonin levels were observed in 72% of pregnant women across all trimesters.
- Calcitonin levels remained high during the first two days postpartum.
- A significant inverse correlation was found between calcitonin and serum phosphate in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- The hypercalcitonemia of pregnancy may play a role in protecting the maternal skeleton.
- This hormonal change might facilitate calcium transfer and accumulation in the fetus.