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A young woman presents to the ER with a broken hip. She denies any recent medical history of trauma to the joint. Blood tests reveal a calcium concentration of 11.5mg/dL (normal 8.4-10.2). Which tissue is likely responsible for these findings?
(Kaplan MCAT Biology, 3rd Edition, page 396)
The correct answer is parathyroid, and the explanation alludes to the possibility of overactivity and increased osteoclast activity, which makes sense. Why can't it be the thyroid gland/ reduced osteoblast activity, though? Parathyroid and thyroid are both options in the question.
In other words, why can't low calcitonin cause the same pathophysiology as increased PTH?
(Kaplan MCAT Biology, 3rd Edition, page 396)
The correct answer is parathyroid, and the explanation alludes to the possibility of overactivity and increased osteoclast activity, which makes sense. Why can't it be the thyroid gland/ reduced osteoblast activity, though? Parathyroid and thyroid are both options in the question.
In other words, why can't low calcitonin cause the same pathophysiology as increased PTH?