New Blood Test for Calcitonin

A new diagnostic test measures the amount of the hormone calcitonin in the blood. The test has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The calcitonin test is used to diagnose cancer of the thyroid and as an adjunct for the monitoring of osteoporosis. Calcitonin is produced in the thyroid gland and helps to regulate blood calcium. The test is performed on a routine blood sample from a patient.

Because osteoporosis is a silent disease, people often do not know they have it until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain or fall causes a fracture. Women are four times more likely than men to have osteoporosis, which is particularly prevalent in women following menopause.

The test was developed by Biomerica, Inc. (Newport Beach, CA, USA), a global medical technology company that markets diagnostic products for use in hospitals, doctors' offices, and the home. "We will be marketing this unique blood test to laboratories and distributors,” said Francis E. Capitanio, president of Biomerica-Diagnostics.


Related Links:
Biomerica