Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the endocrine system and what 9 things in the body makes it up?
A collection of glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Made up of hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal gland, thyroid, four
parathyroid glands, two adrenal glands, endocrine portion of the pancreas, thymus and gonads.
Define hormones.
Chemical messengers which travel through the body via the bloodstream to arrive at target tissues with a specific receptor.
Which gland oversees the other glands of the endocrine system, modulating hormone production and release and what is it controlled by?
Pituitary gland under the influence of the hypothalamus.
What happens to hormones once they have done their job at the target tissues? Why is this important?
They are metabolised and excreted via the kidneys. It stops the accumulation.
State 6 ways the endocrine system can fail?
- Glands can under/over-secrete hormones.
- Glands can secrete faulty hormones - poor nutrients.
- Hormones fail to reach target tissues - poor circulation.
- Feedback mechanism faulty.
- Breakdown of hormones not working correctly.
- Inability of target receptor to pick up hormone = functional hormone resistance.
What is functional hormone resistance?
Inability of target receptor to pick up hormone = reduced ability of the target cell to utilise the hormone properly despite adequate levels. It can cause a decrease in the effect of the hormone and/or, overproduction of the hormone as the body attempts to maintain homeostasis.
State a form of functional hormone resistance that is well accepted?
Insulin resistance.
What are POPs and what have they been linked to?
Persistent organic pollutants - linked to impaired thyroid function and insulin resistance.
State the 4 most common endocrine disorders that present in clinical practice.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Diabetes mellitus type 1.
- Diabetes mellitus type 2.
What is the thyroid?
A large ductless gland in the neck which secretes hormones regulating growth and development through the rate of metabolism. The hormones of the thyroid gland are required for mitochondrial metabolism in every cell of the body.
Thyroid cells are the only cells in the body which can absorb what?
Iodine.
What are the 2 thyroid hormones?
- Tetraiodothyronine (T4).
2. Triiodothyronine (T3) - most active.
What amino acid does the thyroid combine with iodine to make T3 and T4?
Tyrosine.
What percentage T4 and T3 does a healthy thyroid produce?
80% T4, 20% T3 - but T3 is 4x the strength.
Hypothalamus releases what in response to a decrease in circulating thyroid hormone?
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) signals the pituitary gland to release what?
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid to what?
Increase thyroid hormone production. Then Blood levels rise signalling hypothalamus to switch off TRH.
Define Hypothyroidism.
A lack of thyroid hormones, slows metabolism with widespread effects such as depression, sluggishness, weight gain.
Define Hyperthyroidism.
An excess of thyroid hormones, over stimulates the body resulting in symptoms such as increased heart rate, anxiety, and weight loss.
What is Subclinical Hypothyroidism?
Mild hypothyroidism - normal serum free T4 levels with slightly high serum TSH. Often go undetected based on current pathology guidelines.
State 4 causes of Hypothyroidism.
- Thyroid produces too little thyroid hormone - 95% of cases.
- Inadequate TSH secretion from the pituitary gland.
- Inadequate thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus.
- Decreased conversion from T4 to T3.
- Overproduction of reverse T3.
- Body is not efficiently using thyroid hormone.
Deficiency or excess in what mineral can cause Hypothyroidism?
Iodine.
What are goitrogens and how might they cause hypothyroidism?
Foods that block iodine utilisation, such as: Brassica family, soybeans, peanuts, pine nuts. Cooking inactivates them.
What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
An autoimmune condition where body recognises thyroid antigens as foreign and causes a chronic immune reaction. Individuals have circulating antibodies to thyroid tissue.
What is Postpartum thyroiditis?
Thyroiditis developed 2-4 months following childbirth. 10% of women experience, 25% of those with T1D. Usually lasts 2-4 months and is treated with levothyroxine (LT4) - but increases risk of permanent hypothyroidism.