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BRS 4 Endocrinology > 1a The Thyroid Gland > Flashcards

1a The Thyroid Gland Flashcards

1
Q

How many lobe does a normal thyroid gland consist of?

A

2

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2
Q

What is the center of the two lobes of the thyroid gland called?

A

Isthmus

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3
Q

Which nerve runs close to the thyroid gland?

A

The left recurrent laryngeal nerve - supplies vocal cords

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4
Q

What are the two other glands embedded in the thyroid gland called?

A

The superior and inferior parathyroid glands

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5
Q

What are the parathyroid glands involved with?

A

The metabolism of calcium

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6
Q

Which nerve supplies the vocal cords?

A

The recurrent laryngeal nerve

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7
Q

What is the main function of the thyroid gland?

A

Metabolism regulation through the action thyroxine synthesis

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8
Q

Why must surgeons take care when performing surgery on the thyroid gland?

A

The parathyroid glands nearby are involved in calcium metabolism, so there is a risk they may be damaged

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9
Q

What is the function of the parathyroid glands?

A

Secrete parathyroid hormones

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10
Q

How do the parathyroid glands elevate calcium levels?

A

Elevate Ca2+ levels by degrading bone and stimulating calcium release, which increases the bodies ability to absorb calcium from food.

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11
Q

Where does the thyroid gland develop from?

A

The back of the throat

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12
Q

What is the name of the duct which divides into two lobes to form the thyroid gland?

A

Thyroglossal duct

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13
Q

What is lingual thyroid?

A

When the thyroid doesn’t develop down the thyroglossal duct, so doesnt get to the final position - results in a nodule at the back of the throat

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14
Q

By what week is the thyroid gland formed in the feotus?

A

Week 7

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15
Q

What is the pyramidal lobe?

A

Extension of the thyroid gland (remnant of thyroglossal duct); ~55% of individuals have it.

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16
Q

Describe how T3 and T4 are produced?

A
  1. TSH binds to TSH receptors on the follicular cell membrane
  2. This triggers a cascade of inttracellular reactions - secondary messenger systems
  3. Activates gene expression of TG - thyroglobulin
  4. Also, there is active transport of iodide ions into the follicular cell and then colloid through the sodium iodide symporter
  5. Iodide pumps on the basal membrane means iodide ions can enter into the colloid
  6. Iodination of the iodide ions into iodine
  7. Iodine then bind to tyrosine residue on TG in another iodination reaction forming MIT (3-monoiodotyrosine)
  8. Two iodines binding makes DIT (3,5diiodotyrosine)
  9. DIT + DIT = T4 = Thyroxine
  10. DIT + MIT = T3
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17
Q

What is the name of T3?

A

Tri-iodothyronine

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18
Q

Which of T3 and T4 is more active?

A

T3

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19
Q

What happens to T4

A

Gets deiodinated to form T3

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20
Q

What enzyme is used for deiodination?

A

Deiodinase

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21
Q

What is reverse T3?

A

an inactive form of T3 which forms when iodine is removed from the wrong place during deiodination

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22
Q

How do thyroid hormones travel in the blood?

A

they bind to plasma proteins

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23
Q

What are the three plasma proteins which thyroid hormones bind to?

A

Thyroid-binding globulin
Albumin
Prealbumin

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24
Q

What is the full name of t4

A

tetraiodothyronine

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25
Q

Where does most circulating T3 come from?

A

80% from deiodination of T4 by a deiodinase enzyme (T4→ T3)

20% from directly from thyroid secretion

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26
Q

What is the half life of T3?

A

2 days

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27
Q

What is the half life of T4?

A

7-9 days

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28
Q

What percentage of T3 and T4 are bioactive components (unbound)?

A

T3 - 0.5%

T4 - 0.05%

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29
Q

How is the regulation of gene expression mediated?

A

Via thyroid hormone receptors

30
Q

Thyroid Hormones functions?

A

Increased basal metabolic rate.

Increase protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism

Have effects on CNS → Important for brain development (Maturation of CNS)

Essential for foetal growth and development.

Enhance the effects of catecholamines leading to tachycardia, glycogenolysis and lipolysis

Effects on the GI and reproductive systems

Increased heat production

31
Q

What is cretinism?

A

Untreated congenital hypothryoidism - baby born with dysfunctional TH or no thyroid gland - when in womb, mother can provide foetus with thyroid hormones as they can cross the placenta, however might not able to make some of its own when out womb

32
Q

How are TSH levels measured in new born babies?

A

heal prick test

33
Q

Explain the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid negative-feedback system?

A

The hypothalamus produces TRH, which acts on the thyrotrophs to produce TSH, which acts on the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones. Once thyroid hormones are produced, this inhibits TSH and TRH so that excess thyroid hormones are not produced = negative feedback

34
Q

What is TRH?

A

Thyrotrophin releasing hormone

35
Q

Why are women more likely to have disorders of the tyroid than men?

A

During pregnancy, there is a rise of autoimmunity forming, which increases the predisposition to thyroid disorders

36
Q

What is given to transiently inhibit T3 and T4? and what is this effect known as?

A

Large amounts of Iodide quickly inhibits T3 and T4 production - known as the Wolf-Chaikoff effect

37
Q

What causes primary hypothyroidism?

A

Autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimotos thyroditis

38
Q

What happens to T4 and TSH levels during hypothyroidism?

A

T4 levels decline and TSH increases - this is because the lack of T4 being produced stimulates more TSH in the negative feedback loop, so it accumulates

39
Q

What is most commonly used to treat thyroid hormone deficiency?

A

Levothyroxine - a manufactured form of thyroxine

40
Q

How does levothyroxine work as a drug?

A

It is a synthetic form of T4, therefore can be deiodinated to form T3 - bind to receptor proteins and cause metabolis effects

41
Q

What is the most common dosage of levothyroxine?

A

100micrograms

42
Q

What are some side effects of levothyroxine?

A

decreases bone mineral density
hyperthyroidism
heart palpitations
abdominal pains
weight loss

43
Q

What is liothyronine?

A

manufactured form of T3 - can be used to treat hypothyroidism however is generally not preferred as a treatment option

44
Q

Why is liothyronine not preferred over levothyroxine?

A

Liothyronine is a synthetic derivative of T3, which is pointless giving as there is already enough T3 as the T4 that is made is already deionised into T3

45
Q

What is combined thyroid hormone replacement?

A

When T3 and T4 are given together

46
Q

What are the side effects of combined thyroid hormone replacement?

A

Toxicity - palpitations, tremor, anxiety

47
Q

What is the most extreme presentation of patients with hypothyroidism?

A

Myxoedema Coma

48
Q

What are some features of a Myxoedema coma?

A

Puffy Face
Thinning hair
Thickened skin
Hypertrophy of toenails

49
Q

What is hyperthyroidism?

A

When there is too much thyroxine

50
Q

What happens to TSH levels in hyperthyroidism?

A

TSH levels drop

51
Q

What causes hyperthyroidism?

A

Toxic multinodular goitre
Solitary toxic nodule
Grave’s disease

52
Q

What is a toxic multinodular goitre

A

one or more nodules (typically benign growths) in the thyroid gland that make thyroid hormone without responding to the signal to keep thyroid hormone balanced.

53
Q

What is Graves disease?

A

When the antibodies bind and stimulate TSH receptors in the thyroid leading to an overproduction - continual and autonomous stimulation

54
Q

What impact does Graves disease have on the eye?

A

Can cause exophthalmos - this is due to antibodies binding to the eye muscles causing bulging

55
Q

What impact does Graves disease have on the thyroid?

A

causes diffuse and smooth enlargement of the thyroid gland

56
Q

What is pretibial myxoedema?

A

swollen ankles antibodies stimulate the growth of soft tissue of shins

57
Q

What are some clinical presentations of hyperthyroidism?

A

nervousness, weight loss, warm sticky skin, muscle cramps and weakness, enlarged thyroid gland, hair loss, tremors

58
Q

What is TBG?

A

Thyroxine-Binding Globulin

59
Q

What regime is used to treat hyperthyroidism?

A

The block and replace therapy

60
Q

How does block and replace work as a treatment for hyperthyroidism?

A

Block the production of thyroid hormones through radiotherapy or surgery, and then give the patient levothyroxine to replace the hormones lost

61
Q

What is pretibial myxoedema?

A

When there is a non-piting swelling of the shins cause by antibodies binding to the tissue and promoting growth

62
Q

What causes exophthalamos?

A

When antibodies bind to the the muscles behind the eyes, causing t eyes to bulge out their sockets

63
Q

Why are TSH levels measured in a heel prick test for infants to check for cretinism?

A

TSH levels are a more accurate marker of thyroid disorders as a small change in T3 or T4 can drastically impact TSH

64
Q

What is the Wolf-Chaikoff Effect?

A

Where large amounts of iodine transiently inhibit T3 and T4 production - this process occurs quickly

65
Q

What might patients be given to lover T3 and T4 levels?

A

Potassium iodide - this is because of the Wolk-Chaikoff effect, where large amount of iodide ions transiently inhibits T3 and T4 production

66
Q

How is the regulation of gene expression by T3 and T4 mediated?

A

Through thyroid hormone receptors - they are DNA binding transcription factors that function as molecular switch in response to a ligand - they can activate or repress gene transcription

67
Q

Describe the embryology of the thyroid gland?

A
  1. Midline out-pouches from the floor of the pharynx
  2. This leads to the development of the thyroglossal duct
  3. The thyroglossal duct then splits into two lobes
  4. Duct disappears leaving the foramen caecum
  5. Thyroid gland then dissapears
68
Q

What is the colloid?

A

Stores of thyroglobulin which is a glycoprotein that the hormone is bound to - stores thyroid hormones

69
Q

What makes up a thyroid follicle?

A

Cavities surrounded by secretory cells

70
Q

How are thyroid hormones secreted?

A

Hormone is reabsorbed from the cavity (containing colloid) into the surrounding follicular cell and then released into the surrounding interstitial spaces

BRS 4 Endocrinology (20 decks)

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