Marissa has had her thyroid gland removed because of a malignant tumor. She takes synthetic thyroid hormone to replace the thyroxine that her thyroid gland would have produced, but she is worried about her blood calcium since she has lost her source of calcitonin. Does she need to worry about this problem?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The main function of calcitonin is to lower blood calcium levels, but it is not the only hormone involved in calcium regulation. The parathyroid glands are responsible for secreting parathyroid hormone (PTH), which acts to raise blood calcium levels. As long as Marissa's parathyroid glands are functional, her calcium levels should remain within a normal range. Additionally, while not directly involved in calcium regulation, hormones from the kidneys and digestive tract can also play a role in maintaining proper calcium balance. Therefore, Marissa does not need to worry about her blood calcium solely due to the loss of her thyroid gland and calcitonin production.

Marissa Has Had Her Thyroid Gland Removed Because of a Malignant