6a. Endocrine Health - Thyroid Flashcards
What is TRH?
Thyrotropin releasing hormone
What does TRH do?
Stimulates TSH release from the anterior pituitary gland
What does TSH do?
Stimulates thyroid hormone production from the thyroid gland - T4 and T3
Activates iodide uptake via the Na/iodide symporter (SIS)
What percentage of thyroid hormone is T4?
90%
What is the alternative name for T4?
Thyroxine
Which of T4 and T3 is the strongest, more active hormone?
T3 - 4x the strength of T4
What does T3 do?
Increases growth
Bone development
CNS development
Increases BMR/HR
Activates metabolism
What does RT3 do?
Protects tissues from excess thyroid hormones
Biologically inactive - puts the handbrake on T3
What are iodothyronine deiodinases?
Selenoproteins that regulate thyroid hormone homeostasis
What does deiodinase 1 and 2 do (D1/D2)?
Convert T4 to T3
What does deiodinase 3 do (D3)?
Converts T4 to RT3
What does thyroid peroxidase (TPO) do?
Enzyme that helps produce T4 and T3
(catalyses iodination of tyrosine residues in thyroglobulin)
Which nutrients are needed to make TPO?
Tyrosine
Iodine
Iron
Which minerals are needed as co-factors in the synthesis of enzymes and thyroid hormones?
Se
Zn
Cu
Which vitamins are needed to support thyroid hormone synthesis and function?
ACE
B2, B3, B6, B12
What is the role of vit D in thyroid synthesis?
Immune modulation in AI thyroid disorders and VDR polymorphism
Examples of iodine rich foods
Sea veg
Ocean fish
Shellfish
Eggs
Dairy
What is the cause of iodine deficiency?
Dietary deficiency
Who is more at risk of iodine deficiency?
Low/no fish or dairy in diet
Pregnant women
Vegans
Why can high goitrogen foods cause thyroid disorders?
Goitrins, thiocyanates and nitriles in the foods reduce iodine uptake and have anti-TPO activity
Examples of goitrogen foods
Raw brassicas
Soya (fermented ok)
Millet
Peanuts
Pine nuts
How can people consume excess iodine?
Over-iodised salt
Animal milk rich in fortified iodine
Iodine-containing supplements
Radiocontrast dyes
Some medications
What is the Wolff-Chaikoff effect?
Helps reject excess iodine
What can inhibited Wolff-Chaikoff effect lead to?
Subclinical or clinical hypothyroidism
Where is T4 converted to T3 or RT3?
Liver
Kidneys
How are the thyroid hormones metabolised?
Deiodination
Sulphation
Glucuronidation
Which thyroid hormone decreases if RT3 increases?
T3
In which situations does an increase in T4 to RT3 occur?
Chronic illness - to low metabolism
High stress
Zn/Se/Fe deficiency
Fasting/significant calorie restriction
Advancing age
Which thyroid pathology does increased RT3 present as?
Hypothyroidism
What do HPT disrupters interfere with?
HPT axis
Thyroid hormone synthesis, secretion, transportation, metabolism and function
Examples of HPT disrupters
Fluoride
Chlorine
Pesticides
BPAs
Phthalates
Bromine
Glyphosate
Ways to avoid HPT disrupters
Drink filtered water
Fluoride free toothpaste
Eat organic
Avoid farmed fish/processed foods
Limit time in chlorinated pools
Avoid plastic packaging
Examples of medications that exert effects on thyroid function
Dopamine/glucocorticoids - decrease TSH secretion
Beta blockers - reduce T4 to T3
Diuretics/NSAIDs - reduce T4 to T3 binding
Oestrogen - increase thyroglobulin
Why does gut dysbiosis negatively effect thyroid function?
Microbes regulate iodine uptake and degradation
What intestinal imbalances are common in AITD?
Low SCFA production
Elevated zonulin (intestinal permeability)
Elevated serum LPS (chronic low grade inflammation)
Optimal range of TSH in testing
0.4 - 2.5
Optimal range of total T4 in testing
70 - 150
Optimal range of free T4 in testing
12.8 - 19.5 pg/ml
Optimal range of free T3 in testing
3.2 - 4.5
Optimal range of RT3 in testing
11 - 18 ng/dl
How is subclinical hypothyroidism interpreted in testing?
High TSH
Normal T4
Normal T3
How is hypothyroidism interpreted in testing?
High TSH
Low T4
Low T3