Question

Levels of which of the following hormones would be elevated in someone with hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium levels)?

Calcitonin

Calcitriol

Parathyroid hormone

Answer 1

Hypercalcemia is a condition where the blood calcium levels are more than the normal range (8.6-10.2 mg/dL). This can cause bone weakening, kidney stones and can cause damage to the heart and brain.

The levels of calcium in the blood is managed by three major hormones

• Parathyroid hormone- secreted by the parathyroid gland
• Calcitriol or vitamin D- produced by the kidney
• Calcitonin- produced by the parafollicular cells or C cells of the thyroid gland.

Effect of these hormones on the blood calcium levels-

	Parathyroid hormone	Calcitriol	Calcitonin
Effect on blood calcium	Increases the blood calcium level	Increases the blood calcium level	Decreases the blood calcium level

So, if someone is suffering from hypercalcemia, parathyroid hormone and calcitriol will be elevated.