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What Does Calcitonin Do?
Calcitonin is a test that measures the amount of the hormone calcitonin in the blood.
How the test is performed
Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The...
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From Our Experts
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From Our Sources
Clinical trial: Salmon calcitonin for OA of the knee
This is a study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a pill form of salmon calcitonin in adults suffering from osteoarthritis (OA). This... Read more »
Clinical trial: Oral salmon calcitonin for osteoporosis
This is a study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of oral salmon calcitonin in patients with osteoporosis. This international study is... Read more »
Study: More evidence that calcitonin could prevent OA
A new study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism has added to evidence that calcitonin may protect postmenopausal women from... Read more »
Pill form of salmon calcitonin enters late-stage clinical tria...
A pill form of the osteoporosis med salmon calcitonin is entering into late-stage clinical trials. Salmon calcitonin helps bone cells maintain their... Read more »
Researcher: New salmon calcitonin pill treats OA, not just its...
The Phase III clinical program has begun for an oral form of salmon calcitonin designed to treat osteoarthritis (OA). Drugmaker Emisphere says that... Read more »
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