Influence of synthetic testosterone on calcitonin secretion capacity
Mulder, H.; Hackeng, W.H.
Netherlands Journal of Medicine 27(10): 405-407
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-2977 PMID: 6514069 Document Number: 227702
Since patients with decreased sex hormone output from a variety of causes have decreased bone mass, the influence of sex hormone, especially testosterone, deficiency on calcitonin secretion capacity was studied. Men (12) with a low testosterone state were studied. The increase in serum calcitonin concentration after i.v. Ca during synthetic testosterone suppletion exceeded that before suppletion. Serum testosterone increased in all patients during this suppletion therapy. The major function of calcitonin in men appears to be prevention of excessive or unwanted bone resorption. Sex hormone deficiency could be an important factor in the pathogenesis of some types of osteoporosis. In this way an age-related decline in calcitonin secretion plays a role in the pathogenesis of age-related bone loss.