Thyroid

Thyroid hormones are stimulated by TSH from the anterior pituitary, which binds
to a TSH receptor and causes a cascade of events that convert tyrosine bound to
a thyroglobulin molecule. Iodine is added forming either MIT (where there is only
1 iodine) or DIT (Where there have been two ionisations. These two molecules
are coupled by thyroid peroxidise to form either T4 (DIT + DIT), T3 (MIT +DIT) or
reverse T3 (DIT + MIT).

T4 is more resistant to degredation with a half life of about 7 hours, while T3 has
a half-life of less than one day. However T3 is better in thyroid hormone actions
than T4, so more T4 is produced by the thyroid (about 70ug are produced daily),
which is then converted to T3 as required. Only 5ug of T3 are produced from the
thyroid gland but then there is extrathyroidal conversion sites like the liver and
kidneys. Hence the T4 is a reservoir, which can be quickly converted by
deodinases into either T3 or rT3. The reverse T3 is biologically inactive.

The main receptor binding protein of thyoid hormones is Thyroid binding

globulin, which is increased in pregnancy, when a patient is taking an oral
contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy. Upregulation is also due to
hepatitis and is highly expressed in newborns. It is downregulated by androgens
and anabolics, high density glucocorticoids, chronic liver disease, severe illness,
active acromegaly, nephropahy. However this protein is also under genetic
control. Other binding proteins include transthyretin and albumen.

T3 and T4 has ubiquitous effects and are i important for the growth of the CNS
especially oin the 1st years of life. In fact is there isn’t enough thyroid hormones,
cretinism : a form of mental retardation, results. T3 and T4 produces
calorigenesis or heat production in fact people suffering from hypothyroidism are
cold intolerant while hyperthyroidism causes heat intollerence. Thyroid hormone
increase the metabolic rate and hence stimulates oxygen consumption, tghe
Na+/K+ ATPase, stimulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation
uncoupling, concentration and activation of enzymes, metabolism of substrates,
vitamins and minerals, protein synthesis and degredation, enhance
ephinephrine’s actions in stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.
Thyroid hormones also potentiate the actions f insulin and increase the rate f
absorption of glucose uptake by adipose tissue and musc;es. As a result
hypothyroidism will result in slow metabolim, slow reflexes bradycardia, and
constipation. The opposite takes place with hyperthyroidism.