Chapter 30: Medical Nutrition Therapy for Thyroid, Adrenal, and Other Endocrine Disorders Flashcards
autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITD)
Occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks or overstimulates the thyroid gland
thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland.
thyroxine (T4)
A thyroid hormone named for its four molecules of iodine
triiodothyronine (T3)
A thyroid hormone name for its three molecules of iodine. T3 is the most predominant and active form of thyroid hormone that the body can use
calcitonin
A hormone that helps regulate the amount of blood calcium
Reverse T3 (rT3)
An isomer of T3. Derived from T4 through the action of deiodinase
tyrosine
A key amino acid involved in the production of thyroid hormone, and the trace mineral iodine
thyroid peroxidase (TPO)
An enzyme in the thyroid responsible for thyroid hormone production
hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT axis)
Part of the endocrine system responsible for the regulation of metabolism
hypothalamus
A tiny, cone-shaped structure located in the lower center of the brain that communicates between the nervous and the endocrine system
pituitary gland
The master gland of the endocrine system located at the base of the brain
thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
Produced by the hypothalamus. This hormone travels to the pituitary gland, stimulating it to release TSH, which signals the thyroid gland to upregulate its synthetic machinery
thyroid-binding globulin (TBG)
A protein that transports thyroid hormone through the bloodstream, with lesser amounts bound to T4-binding prealbumin
free T4
Unbound T4 can be found within the circulatory system
5-deiodinase
An enzyme that removes one molecule of iodine from T4 to form either T3 or rT3
hypothyroidism
Underactive thyroid
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
An autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys thyroid gland tissue
thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO Ab)
Immune cells that indicate the immune system is attacking TPO in the thyroid gland
thyroglobulin antibodies (TGB Ab)
Immune cells that indicate the immune system is attacking thyroglobulin in the thyroid gland
Schmidt’s syndrome
Refers to hypothyroidism with other endocrine disorders including Addison’s disease, hypoparathyroidism, and diabetes mellitus, all of which may be autoimmune in nature
euthyroid sick syndrome
Hypothyroidism associated with a severe systemic illness that causes decreased peripheral conversion of T4 to T3, an increased conversion of T3 to the inactive rT3, and decreased binding of thyroid hormones
goitrin
A compound known to interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
A common endocrine disorder of unknown cause that affects an estimated 3% to 12% of women of reproductive age in Western societies
Graves’ disease
An autoimmune disease in which the thyroid is diffusely enlarged (goiter) and overactive, producing an excessive amount of thyroid hormones
hyperthyroidism
Overactive thyroid
thyrotoxicosis
A serious metabolic imbalance caused by excessive thyroid hormones
Addison’s disease
Primary adrenal insufficiency. In this condition, insufficient steroid hormones are produced in spite of adequate levels of the hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone. People with Addison’s disease lose the ability to appropriately regulate blood sugar and will have low levels of cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine
adrenal fatigue
Identified as a collection of signs and symptoms caused by the decreased ability of the adrenal glands to respond adequately to stress
cortisol
An adrenal hormone that plays a large role in thyroid health. Cortisol is a life-sustaining hormone essential to the maintenance of homeostasis
