Page data last changed: . Chemistry registry snapshot: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.
Classic calcium-regulating hormone; salmon calcitonin is a therapeutic form.
Part of the Foundational & therapeutic peptides cluster
Overview
Calcitonin is a 32-amino-acid peptide hormone secreted by thyroid C-cells that helps regulate blood calcium. Salmon calcitonin has been used as an approved medicine in several jurisdictions.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Thyroid parafollicular (C) cells
Primary research or clinical context: Approved therapeutic (osteoporosis, hypercalcemia in some markets)
Physiology
Calcitonin lowers blood calcium in part by acting on osteoclasts and the kidney, opposing parathyroid hormone. Its disulfide-bridged ring and amidated C-terminus are structural features often highlighted in peptide-hormone education.
Human vs. salmon forms
Salmon calcitonin is more potent and longer-acting than the human sequence and has been formulated as an approved medicine. Any clinical use of calcitonin should follow licensed medical guidance.
Sequence
One-letter sequence commonly cited for Calcitonin (educational; isoforms and modifications may differ):
CGNLSTCMLGTYTQDFNKFHTFPQTAIGVGAP
Residues plotted ~100° apart around an α-helix — clustering of one color reveals an amphipathic face.
Structure & chemistry
Molecular identity & reference confidence
Source-supported reference
Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.
- Molecular form
- Calcitonin (source record; form not independently established)
- Species
- Not established by this molecular identity audit
- Termini (N / C)
- Not specified / Not specified
Average reference mass
Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05
- IUPHAR/BPS source snapshot · 2026-10-01
- PubChem molecular record · 2026-10-01
- Molecular formula
- C151H226N40O45S3
- Average reference mass
- ≈ 3,417.9
- Status
- Approved medicine in at least one jurisdiction (IUPHAR record)
- PubChem CID: 118984394
- IUPHAR ligand: 685
- ChEMBL: CHEMBL1201614
- CAS RN: 21215-62-3
- UNII: DF35I47HCM
Chemistry values: IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology, PubChem · fetched 2026-10-01.
Clinical development snapshot
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 153 registered studies with “Calcitonin” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-10-01). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.
| NCT | Title | Phase | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07599228 | Using Virtual Reality to Teach Mindfulness to People With Migraine | Not applicable | not yet recruiting | 2026-09-30 |
| NCT07846033 | A Phase 1 Study of VK3019 in Overweight and Obese Adults Without Comorbidities | Phase 1 | recruiting | 2026-09-29 |
| NCT07699549 | Long-term Atogepant in Real-world Practice | — | completed | 2026-09-23 |
| NCT05955612 | Use of Procalcitonin, a Blood Test to Guide Antibiotic Therapy for Sepsis in Adults | Phase 3 | completed | 2026-09-22 |
| NCT07826910 | Effect of Atogepant on the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex in Healthy Adults and Adults With Migraine | Phase 4 | not yet recruiting | 2026-09-17 |
| NCT00467506 | Phase II Two-step Radioimmunotherapy Clinical Study in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma | Phase 2 | completed | 2026-09-14 |
Calcitonin — reconstitution calculator
Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.
Reference form: Calcitonin (source record; form not independently established)Average reference mass: 3,417.9 Da
Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.
Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.
Change log
Dated observations from the data pipeline (registry flags, trial footprints, identifiers) and editorial reviews of this profile.
- Trials3 registered studies added on ClinicalTrials.gov (now 153).
FAQ about Calcitonin
What is Calcitonin?+
Calcitonin is a 32-amino-acid peptide hormone secreted by thyroid C-cells that helps regulate blood calcium. Salmon calcitonin has been used as an approved medicine in several jurisdictions.
What Canadian product status is recorded for Calcitonin?+
Canadian product status for Calcitonin has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.
What is the typical length of Calcitonin?+
Calcitonin is commonly described as approximately 32 amino acids (Hormone).
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Silverman (2003). Calcitonin. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am
- 2.Silverman (1997). Calcitonin. Am J Med Sci
- 3.Silverman (2001). Calcitonin. Rheum Dis Clin North Am
- 4.Ardaillou (1975). Kidney and calcitonin. Nephron
- 5.Srinivasan et al. (2020). Calcitonin: A useful old friend. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact
- 6.Okabe et al. (2012). [Odontoclasts and calcitonin]. Clin Calcium
- 7.Talmage et al. (1981). Calcitonin and phosphate. Mol Cell Endocrinol
- 8.Sewell (1997). Calcitonin. J Clin Rheumatol
- 9.PubChem — compound summary for Calcitonin (CID 118984394)
- 10.Wikipedia — Calcitonin