Medical expert of the article

Endocrinologist

New publications

C-terminal telopeptide in blood

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 09.07.2022

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Collagen type I accounts for more than 90% of the organic matrix of bone. As a result of permanent remodeling of bone tissue collagen type I is destroyed, while its fragments enter the blood. One such fragment is the cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide (molecular weight less than 2000), which is not further catabolized and excreted in the urine.

Reference values (norm) of the C-terminal telopeptide in serum

Age	C-terminal telopeptide, ng / ml
Men's
30-50 years old	0.300-0.584
50-70 years old	0.304-0.704
Over 70 years old	0.394-0.854
Women
Premenopause	0.299-0.573
Postmenopause	0.556-1.008

With increased bone metabolism or its resorption, type I collagen breaks down faster, and thus the content of collagen fragments in the blood increases.

The concentration of C-terminal telopeptide in the blood increases during menopause and normalizes after the appointment of estrogens. In osteoporosis, the concentration of the C-terminal telopeptide correlates well with the activity of the process (including in the case of osteoporosis due to malignant tumors).

The study of the C-terminal telopeptide in the blood is shown not only to establish the activity of resorptive processes in bone tissue, but also to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment. Treatment is considered effective if the level of C-terminal telopeptide in the blood decreases within 3-6 months of therapy.

Hyperparathyroidism is accompanied by a significant increase in the concentration of C-terminal telopeptide in the serum, and its normalization is a good marker of the effectiveness of surgical treatment of adenoma or malignant tumor of parathyroid glands.

Jaundice, lipidemia cause interference and overestimate the results of determining the C-terminal telopeptide in the blood serum, and hemolysis (free hemoglobin in the plasma above 0.5 g / dl) may lead to the opposite effect.

trusted-source [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10]

Translation Disclaimer: For the convenience of users of the iLive portal this article has been translated into the current language, but has not yet been verified by a native speaker who has the necessary qualifications for this. In this regard, we warn you that the translation of this article may be incorrect, may contain lexical, syntactic and grammatical errors.