Regulation of Thyroid Functions Flashcards
What are thyroid hormones?
They are derivatives of the amino acid tyrosine bound covalently to iodine
What are the thyroid hormones?
Tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)
Calcitonin
Where are T3 and T4 secreted from?
Follicular cells
Where is calcitonin secreted from?
Parafollicular cells
What is the inactive form of T3?
Reverse T3
What are the different roles of calcitonin? (4)
- Lowers calcium levels in the blood
- Inhibits Ca2+ absorption by the intestines
- Promotes deposition of Ca2+ into bones (inhibits osteoclasts and stimulates osteoblasts)
- Inhibits Ca2+ reabsorption in the kidney (excreted in the urine)
What is the characteristic of thyroid in regards to storage?
The thyroid gland has a unique capacity for storing substantial amounts of pre-synthesized hormone thyroid hormone is stored within the thyroid colloid
What does the colloid material contain?
T3 and T4 attached to thyroglobulin
What are dietary sources of iodine?
Sea fish
Eggs
Milk
Water
How is iodine transported in the bloodstream?
As an inorganic iodide
What is the recommended daily dose of iodide intake?
150mg which increases to 200mg during pregnancy and breast feeding
What is thyroglobulin?
A protein that contains large numbers of tyrosine amino acids
What is the synthesis of thyroid hormones like? (9)
- Iodide trapped by the thyroid follicular cells
- Diffusion of iodide to the apex of the cells
- Transport of iodide into the colloid
- Oxidation of inorganic iodide to iodine
- Incorporation of iodine into tyrosine residues within thyroglobulin
- Combination of two diiodotyrosine molecules to form T4 or combination of monoiodotyrosine molecule with one diiodotyrosine molecule to form T3
- Uptake of thyroglobulin from the colloid into the follicular cell by endocytosis, a fusion of the thyroglobulin with a lysosome, and proteolysis and release of T4, T3, DIT, and MIT
- Release of T4 and T3 into the circulation
- Deiodination of DIT and MIT to yield tyrosine
How is T3 alternatively formed?
From monodeiodination of T4 in the thyroid and in peripheral tissues
Where are T3 and T4 secreted into?
Diffuse into the blood
What happens to the 75% of iodinated tyrosine?
It remains in the monoiodotyrosine and diiodotyrosine. Their iodine is cleaved by a deiodinase enzyme that makes the iodine available for recycling to form now thyroid hormones
What enzyme combines MIT and DIT to form T3 and T4 species?
Peroxidase combines MIT and DIT residues to generate T3 and T4 species within the thyroglobulin protein
What is the potency of T3 and T4?
T3 is 4 times more potent than T4
T4 is less active than T3
What is the rate of secretion of T3 and T4?
T4 us 10 folds more secreted than T3
What is the onset of action of T3 and T4?
T3 is rapid in onset (2 to 3 hours), whilst T4 is slow in onset (2 to 3 days)
What are the half-lives of T3 and T4?
T3 –> 3 days
T4 –> 7 days
What is the storage of T3 and T4 like?
T4 is more stored as it has a higher affinity for proteins
What is the inactivation of T3 and T4 like?
T3 is rapidly inactivated whilst T4 is slowly inactivated
What % of T3 and T4 are bound to serum proteins?
99.98%
What are the serum proteins that T3 and T4 are bound to? (3)
- Thyroxine binding globulin (TBG - alpha-globulin) –> 75%
- Thyroxine binding prealbumin (TBPA) –> 15 to 20%
- Thyroxine binding albumin –> 5 to 10%
What does TBG protein bind?
99.9% binds T4
What does TBPA protein bind?
Very small amount unbound, this is free and biologically active
What does Thyroxine Binding Albumin bind?
99.7% binds T3
What are the stimulatory factors in the thyroid hormone synthesis? (3)
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin
- Increased thyroid binding globulin (TBG)
In which case is there increased thyroid binding globulin?
In cases of pregnancy
Where is TSH released from?
Released by the pituitary gland
What is the function of ΤSH?
It instructs the thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormones, T3 and T4
How is TSH controlled?
Negative feedback by the thyroid hormones
What can TSH measurement be used as?
To assess thyroid function
How does TSH cause the secretion of thyroid hormones?
It increases the size and vascularity of the thyroid gland, and follicular cells become active and columnar