Abstract

Calcitonin is a polypeptide hormone secreted by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland. Its main action is to reduce osteoclastic bone resorption. When bone turnover is high this causes a fall in serum calcium concentration. The first commercially available preparation was of porcine calcitonin (Calcitare -Armour) which we discussed two years ago.¹ Armour are now also marketing synthetic salmon calcitonin (Calsynar) with the same indications: the treatment of hypercalcaemia and of Paget’s disease of the bone.