Is basal ultrasensitive measurement of calcitonin capable of substituting for the pentagastrin-stimulation test?

Summary Objective To evaluate a second‐generation assay for basal serum calcitonin (CT) measurements compared with the pentagastrin‐stimulation test for the diagnosis of inherited medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and the follow‐up of patients with MTC after surgery. Recent American Thyroid Association recommendations suggest the use of basal CT alone to diagnose and assess follow‐up of MTC as the pentagastrin (Pg) test is unavailable in many countries. Design Multicentric prospective study. Patients A total of 162 patients with basal CT