Marissa Has Had Her Entire Thyroid Gland Removed Because of a Malignant

Multiple Choice

Marissa has had her entire thyroid gland removed because of a malignant tumor. She takes synthetic thyroid hormone to replace the thyroxine that her thyroid gland would have produced, but she is worried about her blood calcium. Does she need to worry about this problem?

A) No, the synthetic thyroid hormone will also control the calcium.
B) Possibly, it depends on whether the parathyroid glands were taken with the thyroid by accident.
C) No, hormones from the liver and kidneys will regulate calcium through the intestinal tract.
D) Yes, without the calcitonin, high blood levels of calcium will cause convulsions.
E) Yes, without the calcitonin she may suffer heart failure.