Why is this procedure done?
This test is done to find out how much calcitonin is in your blood. Calcitonin is a hormone that is made in your thyroid gland. This hormone helps keep your bones strong and can help relieve pain if you break a bone. ‚
The doctor may order a calcitonin level to: ‚
- Check for problems with your thyroid gland or look for a kind of cancer
- Learn about throat pain, a hoarse voice, or breathing problems
- Check a level because you have a bone illness
- See how well your treatment is working
- See how well your thyroid gland responds to a stimulation test
- Check your level before you have surgery
- Go along with other tests
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What will the results be?
- If your calcitonin levels are low or normal, it may mean your signs are due to some other problem.
- High calcitonin levels may mean you have problems with your thyroid gland.
- The doctor will look at the results of your test. The doctor may learn that you have signs of an illness that needs treatment.
- Your doctor may order another test. This will help check a result that is not normal or to learn more about a diagnosis.
- The doctor will talk with you about treatment.
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor may not want you to eat or drink anything but water for 12 hours before having this test.
- Some drugs can change your test results. Ask your doctor if you need to do anything to prepare for your test.
- Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking
- If you have any bleeding problems
What happens during the procedure?
It will only take a few minutes to have this test. You will be awake the whole time. You will have a small amount of blood taken from you with a needle. You may have a small amount of pain. The needle will be taken out and a bandage will be put on your skin. The lab will test your blood to see how much calcitonin is in it. ‚
What happens after the procedure?
- You may want to sit quietly for a few minutes before standing up. This will help keep you from feeling dizzy after the test.
- Put pressure with your other hand where the needle was. This will help with bruising and bleeding.
- Ask your doctor when you will get the results.
What care is needed at home?
You may do your everyday activities when you get back home. ‚
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. This test will help your doctor understand if you have a problem with your calcitonin level. Together you can make a plan for more care. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Pain
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Feeling dizzy
- Infection
Where can I learn more?
American Association for Clinical Chemistry ‚
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/calcitonin/tab/test/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚