Question

medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland will result in:
an increase in thyroid hormone production.
hypercalcemia
a compensatory parathyroid hyperplasia.
a decrease in calcitonin production.

Explanation:

1. Analyze each option:

• Option 1: Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (arising from C - cells) is not related to thyroid hormone (T3, T4) production (which is from follicular cells), so no increase in thyroid hormone production.
• Option 2: Medullary thyroid carcinoma can secrete substances that affect calcium metabolism, and hypercalcemia can occur. C - cells in the thyroid (where medullary carcinoma originates) are related to calcitonin, but in some cases, the tumor can cause disturbances in calcium regulation leading to hypercalcemia.
• Option 3: Medullary thyroid carcinoma does not lead to compensatory parathyroid hyperplasia. Parathyroid hyperplasia is more related to parathyroid - related disorders or chronic hypocalcemia (not directly from medullary thyroid carcinoma).
• Option 4: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (from C - cells) usually leads to an increase (not decrease) in calcitonin production, as the tumor cells can secrete calcitonin.

Answer:

B. hypercalcemia