Effect of thyrocalcitonin on renal reabsorption of bicarbonate.

Porcine thyrocalcitonin (TCT) given intramuscularly at a dose of 2-3 MRC units/kg body weight induces a renal bicarbonate wasting probably at the level of the proximal tubule. This effect is found in normal children as well as in patients with renal tubular acidosis and with vitamin D deficiency. The mechanism by which TCT acts on the acidification mechanism is probably independent of parathyroid hormone (PTH) because the effect could also be obtained in hypoparathyroid patients.