title: High calcitonin levels in unconscious polytrauma patients.
abstract: We measured levels of calcitonin and other markers of calcium and phosphorus metabolism in both unconscious and conscious patients after multiple trauma. We found dramatic increases in calcitonin levels in unconscious patients, and smaller increases in conscious patients. In two cases, very high levels, more than 100 x normal, appeared to be related to more rapid healing of bone. Calcitonin levels were highest immediately after admission and decreased over the ensuing two weeks. The possible relationship between unconsciousness and the increased rate of healing of fractures is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Microscopy, University of Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Bastiani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mosconi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spagnol
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicolato
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aprili
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D003128:Coma / Q000097:blood; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D002116:Calcitonin