Endocrine Flashcards
Describe the hormones of the HPA axis
Hypothalamus releases Thyrotropin releasing hormone TRH to anterior pituitary which then releasese Thyroid Stimulating Hormone to the Thyroid gland this signals the secretion of thyroxine T4 the weaker thyroid hormone which converts to triiodothyronine T3 which is 4 x more potent then T4. Reverse T3 is an inactive form of T3 which protects tissues from excess thyroid hormone.
What are iodothyronine deiodinases?
“They are selenoproteins which help to regulate thyroid hormone homeostasis
D1 & D2 convert T4 - T3 and D3 converts T4 to inactive RT3 (can bind to T3 receptors blocking action of T3)”
What are the functions of T3?
Increases growth, bone & CNS development, increases BMR, heart rate and activates metabolism
What is the ratio of secreted T3 & T4, how protein bound are they and how are they metabolised?
T4: 90% secreted from Thyroid. T3: 10% secreted the other is formed via peripheral conversion in liver and kidney tissues. They are metabolised via deiodonation, sulphation and glucuronidation. T4 highly protein bound 99.98% T3 99.8%
What nutrients are essential for thyroid hormone synthesis?
“Tyrosine and Iodine - TPO catalyses iodination of tyrosine in thyroglobulin to form T4 & T3
Selenium & Zn: Enzyme cofactors and receptor function
Vit A, C, E, B2,6,12 - Synthesis & function
Vit D - immune mod - AI & VDR polymorphism predisposes AITD
Fe = TPO is haem dependent
Cu - Cofactor deiodinase enzymes”
Iodine sources and deficiency and excess impacts
“Sources: Sea vegetables, ocean and shellfish, eggs & dairy, little in soil - dependent on where
Deficiency causes - lack of intake esp vegans, preg, low/no dairy or fish
Excess; Wolff-Chaikoff effect helps reject excess iodine or hormone synthesis - is inhibited in some people causing subclin or clin hypo. High consumption iodinised salt, lots dairy, or dietart supps or meds”
When does T4 conversion to RT3 increase?
“Chronic or critical injury - a normal response to low metabolic states ‘ Low T3 syndrome
High stress, Zn, Se, Fe def, liver dysfunction, advancing age (liver/ kidney function) sig cal reduction, myocardial infarction. High RT3 can present as hypothyroidism”
What do HPT disruptors do?
Interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion, transport, metabolism and function
Name 5 HPT disruptors
“Pesticides, PCB’s, Phalates, Glyphosphate
Halogens - Iodine, Chlorine, Bromine”
How to avoid HPT disruptors
Eat organic vegetables and wild fish, Flouride free toothpaste, don’t stay in chlorinated pools too long, drink filtered water, avoid processed foods and drinks
What medication decreases TSH secretion
Dopamine
What medication alters T3&4 metabolism
Phenytoin
What medication reduces T4 - T3
Beta-blockers
What medication reduces T4 - T3 binding
Dieuretics
What medication increases thyroglobulin?
Oestrogen, Tamoxifen
What can hyperthyroid meds induce 10-20 years later
Hypothyroidism in Graves disease
What role do gut microbes play with the thyroid?
Regulate uptake of iodine and are also involved in degregation and enterohepatic cycling
What microbiome profile may you see with AITD
Low SCFA producers, increased zonulin and elevated serum LPS
“What are optimal ranges for:
TSH
Total T4
Free T4
Free T3
RT3”
“TSH 0.4 - 2.5
Total T4 70-150
Free T4 12.8 - 19.5
Free T3 3.2 - 4.5
RT3 11-18”
What would a hormone profile look like for clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism?
“Subclin - TSH High: T4 Normal: T3: Normal
Clinical - TSH High: T4 Low: T3 Low/ Normal”
What would a hormone profile look like for clinical and subclinical hyperthyroidism?
“Subclin - TSH Low: T4 Normal: T3: Normal (unless on T4 therapy)
Clinical - TSH Low: T4 High/ Normal: T3 High/ Normal”
What would a hormone profile look like for secondary hyperthyroidism?
Low: Low: Low
How do you measure iodine and what are the ranges?
Via a urine test first thing in the morning:
Children & Adults 100-199mcg/L
Pregnant women 150 - 249
<100 = insufficiency <20 = severe deficiency
What is the banes basal temp test
You put a thermometer under arm on waking - before moving and tract temperature. Below 36.5 = diagnostic for hypo. Impacted by mestrual cycle, illness, circadian changes, alcohol intake
What are physical thyroid signs
Dry skin, dry hair, thining hair and eyebrows, goitre, protuding eyevalls, nail beading, low BP, bradycardia
What SNPs could impact thyroid function?
“SLCO1B/C can inhibit transport of hormones to cells
DIO2 impact activation of T4-T3
T3 requires cofactors such as Vit D (VDR/ GC) and retinol BC01
Detox SULT, UGT”
What are the classifications of hypothyroidism?
“Primary - pathology in the thyroid gland - high TSH due to low T4&T3 secretion
Secondary - pathology in the pituitary - inadequate TSH to signal secretion of T3&4
Tertiary - inadequate secretion of TRH in hypothalamus
Peripheral - tissue insensitivity to thyroid hormones
Subclinical - TSH is slightly elevated & T4 is normal, T4 - T3 conversion issue, high RT3 or thyroid cell receptor issues”
Describe general signs & symptoms of hypothyroidism
Dry skin, elbow keratinosis, dry hair, thining hair and eyebrows, goitre, nail beading, low BP, bradycardia, cold extremeties, feels the cold, tiredness/ fatigue, odema, puffy face, swollen eyelids, weight gain/ inability to lose weight, heavy or irregular menstrual periods
Describe subclinical hypo
Slightly elevated TSH and normal free T4. Optimal TSH <2.5. Undetected in c.10% of population experiencing s/s of hypo such as tiredness, weight gain, cognitive impairement and mood.Linked to increased risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure, CV events and infertility and miscarriage. Serum levels >10mU/L TSH and thyroid autoantibodies = increase risk overt hypo.
Describe 10 causes and risk factors for developing hypothyroidism
“1. Iodine deficiency or excess
2. Cofactor nutrient deficiency _se, tyrosine, Zn, Fe, Vit C, D, B2,6,12, Cu
3. Drug induced thyroiditis - i.e lithium
4. Women x 10 more likely Hashmioto’s - risk increased post partum & during/ post menopausal. AI also higher in women
5. AGE - peaks in 40’s
6. Prolonged stress - inhibits TSH, suppresses D1, T3, RT3 and receptor sensitivity. Also immunological shife from Th1 - Th2 predisposing AI
7. Smoking - disrupts iodine conversion
8. Alcohol - directly suppresses function blunts TRH response and chronic use can reduced peripheral conversion
9. Hereditary - 23.6% of mothers with children with HT had history of thyroid dysfunction
10.Postpartum thyroiditis”
Describe Hashimotos thyroiditis
Hashimotos is a autoimmune condition where thyroid tissue is damaged. It effects women 10 X to that of men. H-pylori and EBV are often implicated. Usually high TSH, normal FT4 but with raised antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and sometimes increased anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (anti-Tg) and TSH receptor blocking antibodies (TSII).anti-TG & TSII may not always show on a blood test due to the intermittent nature of the AI attack but the person may be experiencing s/s. HT is often diagnosed late.
Outline 5 causes/ risks of Hashimoto’s
“Iodine excess - highly iodinated thyroglobulin is more immunogenic
Genetic polymorphisms i.e. VDR, MTHFR
Coeliac disease & HT often coexist
Sleep apnoea and HT influence one another
Heavy metals - mercury, cadnium increase TGO antibodies
Proinflammatory cytokines - IL-6/10/12, TNF-a”
What is the allopathic treatment for hypothyroidism?
Levothyroxine (synthetic T4) 25-220mcg/ day. Due to interactions take on empty stomach in morning 1 hor before food, drinks other drugs. Med failure often due to conversion problems eg nutrient deficiency = nutrition is key! Absorption effected by coffee, PPI use, coeliac disease, atrophic gastritis
Describe the 4 key natural approaches to hypothyroidism
“1. Address triggers & mediators and identify the cause
2. Reduce inflammation & IR
3. Reduce goitrogenic compounds
4. Balance T-Cell function”