Biomerica Inc has launched a new FDA cleared diagnostic blood test to be sold both in the U.S. and in Europe to measure the amount of the hormone calcitonin in blood.

The calcitonin test is used to diagnose cancer of the thyroid and as an adjunct for the monitoring of osteoporosis (bone loss) of a patient. Calcitonin is a hormone produced in the thyroid gland that helps regulate blood calcium.

With osteoporosis, the bones become fragile and more likely to break, with fractures of the hip and spine most common. It is estimated by the National Osteoporosis Foundation that 44 million Americans have this disease or have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. The Foundation estimates the cost of the disease to the health care system at more than $17 billion annually. Women are four times more likely than men to be impacted and osteoporosis is particularly prevalent in women following menopause.

Osteoporosis is a "silent" disease. People often do not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump or fall causes a fracture. The disease can be prevented or treated with medication.

The Biomerica test is performed by drawing a routine blood sample from a patient. "We will be marketing this unique blood test to laboratories and distributors," said Francis E. Capitanio, President of Biomerica-Diagnostics. "The more Americans who are tested, the more pain and suffering caused by this disease can be reduced or eliminated."