Section 3 - Thyroid Gland Flashcards
Location of the thyroid gland?
Located below Adam’s apple. Connected by isthmus (bridge of thyroid tissue) located below cricoid cartilage.
Identify the following gross anatomical features of thyroid gland
- right lateral lobe
- left lateral lobe
- pyramidal lobe
- isthmus - bridge of thyroid tissue
- parathyroid glands - found within the thyroid gland
- recurrent laryngeal nerves
follicular epithelial cells (thyrocytes)
spherical cells that make up the thyroid gland
follicular lumen (colloid)
fluid within the follicles
parafollicular cells (c cells)
secrete calcitonin
TSH receptors
found on the basolateral membrane of thyroid follicular cells
where is the Na+/I- symporter (NIS) found?
found on the basal membrane
Pendrin
ion transporter that moves iodine into colloid
thyroglobulin
substrate to help make T4 and T3
thyroid peroxidase
important enzyme that helps synthesize T4 and T3. It oxidizes I- to I2. Organification occurs of I2 allowing you to add iodine to tyrosine on TGB to make MIT and DIT. Coupling of MIT and DIT leads to synthesis of T4 and T3.
What is the difference between T3 and T4?
T3 and T4 are very similar but T4 has one more iodine than T3.
Which is more potent T3 or T4?
T3 is 4-5 times more potent than T4 even though T4 gets secreted more often. However, because T4 is secreted more often, it is converted into T3.
Dietary and non-dietary sources of iodine?
Dietary sources include seafood, seaweed, kelp, iodized salt, and dairy products.
Individuals may be exposed to medications, disinfectants, and radiographic contrast agents.
Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis and explain the role of negative feedback on the axis.
Hypothalamus releases TRH which acts on thryotrophes in anterior pituitary gland.
Thyrotropes become activated and release TSH which goes and activates thyroid gland.
Thyroid then releases T3 and T4 which goes into the blood stream.
In T3 and T4 synthesis, what is the synthesis and structure of thyroglobulin?
large molecule that consists of a bunch of tyrosine molecules. These tyrosine molecules are made into thyroglobulin in the follicular cells and dumped into the colloid
In T3 and T4 synthesis, what is the role of iodine trapping?
sodium/iodine cotransport iodine and sodium into the follicular cells using ATP. Once in the follicular cells, thyroid peroxidase converts I- to I2 and is dumped into the colloid. I2 is then combined with tyrosine molecules on TGB to make MIT or DIT. MIT and DIT is cleaved and coupled to make T3 and T4.
In T3 and T4 synthesis, what is the role of thyroid peroxidase?
makes I2, MIT and DIT, and then coupled to make T3 and T4
In T3 and T4 synthesis, what is the role of thyroid deiodinase (5-deiodinase)?
deionidates MIT and DIT and recycles I- and tyrosine
How much of a supply of T3 and T4 can a normal thyroid store?
It can reserve up to one to two months
Explain the various ways in which TSH affects T3 and T4 synthesis and secretion?
Stimulates TGB synthesis, stimulates Na+/I- pump activity, activates thyroid peroxidase, and stimulates growth of thyroid follicles. Can lead to hypertrophy and hyperplasia and can manifest as a goiter in patients.
Explain how T3 and T4 are carried in the blood and distinguish between what is meant by free T4 vs total T4
Carried via transport proteins. Three main ones are thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), thyroxine-binding pre-albumin (TBPA) and albumin. The amount of free T4 is the fraction that is responsible for hormonal activity. Total amount of thyroid hormones bound to these plasma proteins provides a substantial reservoir of T3 and T4 in the blood
Explain the various physiological effects of T3 and T4 on its target tissues
Growth
- Helps with growth formation and works synergistically with growth hormone and somatomedins to promote bone formation
- Bone maturation - promotes ossification and fusion of bone plates and bone maturation
Explain the various physiological effects of T3 and T4 on its target tissues
CNS
- Maturation of CNS - extremely critical in perinatal period
- Maintains alertness, concentration , and focus
Explain the various physiological effects of T3 and T4 on its target tissues
BMR
- increased sodium/potassium ATPase
- increase oxygen consumption
- increased heat production
- increased BMR
Explain the various physiological effects of T3 and T4 on its target tissues
Metabolism
- increased glucose absorption
- increased glycogenolysis
- increased glucogeneogenesis
- increased lipolysis
- increased protein synthesis and degradation
Explain the various physiological effects of T3 and T4 on its target tissues
Cardiovascular
increased cardiac output
Explain the importance of screening for congenital hypothyroidism and how this screening is performed
Fetal thyroid gland begins to function at 10-12 weeks of gestation.
It is a primary source of thyroid hormone in developing fetus after the first trimester, during which maternal T4 is the only source. Helps with brain development. Otherwise, can result in growth retardation and delayed cognitive development. Heel prick is given and blood is taken from screening 2-5 days after birth.
Various clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism
Nervousness, irritability, bulging eyes (due to fibroblasts being stimulated around the eyes and causes buildup over time), goiter, menstrual irregularities, frequent bowel movements, moist palms, weight loss, rapid heartbeat, increased body temperature.
Graves’ disease
Most common primary hyperthyroidism, autoimmune disease that creates antibodies that stimulate the thyroid. Thyroid stimulating immunoglobins (TSI) bind to the thyroid gland and constantly stimulate the thyroid.
Toxic nodular goiter
primary hyperthyroidism
TSH - secreting adenoma
secondary hyperthyroidism
hyperfunctioning thyroid adenoma
primary hyperthyroidism
acute thyroiditis
primary hyperthyroidism
Jod-Basedow syndrome (iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis)
primary hyperthyroidism, due to excessive amount of iodine