×
MedSchool: Ace Your OSCEsThe Medical Company
 
 
 
 
 
GET - On the App Store
View
Thyroid Function
 
Thyroid Function
 

Thyroid Physiology

April 28th, 2020
 
 
 
Bookmark

Overview

Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) are secreted by the thyroid gland and produce a variety of effects on metabolism. Their release is mediated via a negative feedback loop involving the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland.
Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) is secreted by the hypothalamus, and acts on the anterior pituitary to stimulate release of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The release of TRH is inhibited in the presence of high levels of circulating T3 and T4.
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is secreted by the anterior pituitary, in response to the stimulating effect of TRH. TSH acts on the thyroid gland to stimulate release of T3 and T4. The release of TSH is inhibited in the presence of high levels of circulating T3 and T4.
Thyroxine (T4) is produced by the thyroid gland in response to the stimulating effect of TSH. Thyroxine is transported in plasma in either its free form or bound to protein. Thyroxine is converted to T3 and reverse T3 (rT3) in both the circulation and in tissues.
Triiodothyronine (T3) is both directly secreted by the thyroid and converted from T4.
Reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) is an inactive form of T3 that is secreted in stress states.
Thyroid binding globulin (TBG) is a plasma protein that binds and transports the majority (~75%) of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are also transported to a lesser degree by transthyretin and albumin.
Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a storage form of the thyroid hormones produced by follicular cells of the thyroid, and is released into serum in conjunction with T3 and T4.
Thyroperoxidase (TPO) is an enzyme that catalyses the oxidation of iodide on tyrosine residues in thyroglobulin, enabling production of the thyroid hormones.
  • Effects of Thyroid Hormones

  • Metabolism - lipolysis, gluconeogenesis, insulin secretion, increased basal metabolic rate, thermogenesis
  • Cardiovascular - positive chronotropy and inotropy resulting in increased cardiac output; vasodilatation
  • Liver - increased blood flow; altered metabolism
  • Kidney - increased blood flow and glomerular filtration rate; altered electrolyte secretion / reabsorption
  • Skeletal muscle - increased blood flow, contractility (fast-twitch fibres) and oxygen consumption
Next Page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Want more info like this?
  • Your electronic clinical medicine handbook
  • Guides to help pass your exams
  • Tools every medical student needs
  • Quick diagrams to have the answers, fast
  • Quizzes to test your knowledge
Sign Up Now
   
 
 

Snapshot: Initialising...