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Calcitonin - Results

Normal Values:

A normal value is less than 10 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).

It is not uncommon to see different normal values for males and females. Sometimes, health care providers take a second or even a third calcitonin blood level after an intravenous (IV) infusion of calcium, especially when the health care worker suspects medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. This additional test is necessary if the baseline calcitonin value is normal.

NOTE: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

The example above shows the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.

What abnormal results mean:

Higher than normal levels may indicate:

  • Insulinoma
  • Lung cancer
  • Medullary carcinoma of thyroid
  • VIPoma
  • Reviewed last on: 11/25/2009
  • Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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