The hormone known to participate in metabolism of calcium and phosphorous is?

NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2016

Biochemistry & Nutrition

Easy

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

Calcitonin is a peptide hormone secreted by the parafollicular cells (C-cells) of the thyroid gland.
Its primary function is to lower blood calcium levels (hypocalcemic effect).
It achieves this by inhibiting bone resorption by osteoclasts and increasing the excretion of both calcium and phosphorus by the kidneys.
Calcitonin works antagonistically with Parathyroid Hormone (PTH), which raises blood calcium levels.

Option A: Mineralocorticoids, with aldosterone being the primary example, are mainly involved in regulating electrolyte and water balance, specifically sodium and potassium levels, not calcium and phosphorus.
Option C: Glucagon is a pancreatic hormone whose main function is to raise blood glucose levels by promoting glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver. It is not primarily involved in mineral metabolism.
Option D: Glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, are primarily involved in the stress response, inflammation, and glucose metabolism. While high levels can indirectly affect bone density by decreasing calcium absorption, their main role is not the direct, moment-to-moment regulation of calcium and phosphorus.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Hormonal regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the role of calcitonin is crucial for managing calcium disorders like hypercalcemia, where synthetic calcitonin can be administered to quickly lower dangerously high calcium levels.
Calcitonin is also used in the treatment of Paget's disease of bone and postmenopausal osteoporosis because it inhibits bone resorption.
A nurse monitoring a patient receiving calcitonin would assess for signs of hypocalcemia (e.g., tingling, muscle cramps, tetany) and monitor serum calcium levels.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key substances mentioned in the question: calcium and phosphorus. This points to mineral metabolism.
Next, recall the primary hormones involved in regulating calcium and phosphorus. The main players are Parathyroid Hormone (PTH), Calcitonin, and Calcitriol (active Vitamin D).
Scan the options provided: Mineralocorticoids, Calcitonin, Glucagon, Glucocorticoids.
Recognize Calcitonin as one of the key hormones in calcium regulation.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their primary functions: Mineralocorticoids (salt/water balance), Glucagon (glucose increase), and Glucocorticoids (stress/glucose metabolism). This confirms Calcitonin is the correct choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QLIXiaW1bcdJFyp8rnf4pY

E6 Textbook of Biochemistry for medical StudentsDM Vasudevan Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-239 of 478) p. 163-165

E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 2 p. 55-57