RADIOIMMUNOASSAY OF HUMAN CALCITONIN IN SERUM AND TISSUE FROM HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS AND PATIENTS WITH MEDULLARY CARCINOMA OF THYROID-GLAND

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 36  (4) , 323-329
Abstract
A specific radioimmunological method for measurement of immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT) in human serum and tissue is described. Of healthy individuals of both sexes, 85% had measurable iCT in serum (mean, 0.23 ng/ml). Of 29 patients who received treatment for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland (MCT), 19 had increased serum iCT (0.60 ng/ml to 205 ng/ml). Elevated serum iCT was also found preoperatively in 2 MCT patients. Of the patients with abnormal elevations of serum iCT, 11 were alive 4-13 yr after the operation. Concentration of iCT in extracts from MCT varied from 0.5-540 ng/ml wet weight. The diagnostic value of this method and its importance for pre- and post-operative evaluation of these patients are improved by the use of selective venous catheterization in basal state and during stimulation of CT secretion.

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