Marissa Has Had Her Thyroid Gland Removed Because of a Malignant

Multiple Choice

Marissa has had her 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 since she has lost her source of calcitonin. Does she need to worry about this problem?

A) No, the synthetic thyroid hormone will also control the calcium.
B) No, as long as she still has functional parathyroid glands she will maintain proper levels of calcium.
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 will suffer heart failure.