Thyroid Flashcards
Name 2 reasons why the thyroid gland is so vascularised
- needs to get iodine out of the blood
- secretes hormones into the blood
Name the 2 membranes lining the thyroid follicles
Basal membrane (faces out to capillaries) Apical membrane (faces in towards lumen)
What is stored in the lumen of thyroid follicles / colloid
Thyroglobulin
Other name for T4?
Thyroxine
Which thyroid hormone is the MOST inactive
Reverse T3 (reverse triiodothyronine)
Which thyroid hormone binds more readily to plasma proteins?
T4 - thyroxine
Which plasma protein does T4 bind to?
Thyroxine binding globulin (TBG)
There are 2 reservoir mechanisms for thyroid hormones which prolong their effect and means drugs take a while to take effect. What are they?
- stores or thyroglobulin in colloid of follicles
- 99% of T4 binds to TBG
Explain the role of the TPO enzyme
Once iodide enters the cell through the sodium potassium pump, it then reacts with TPO which takes another electron away, making it more negatively charged. This increases its reactivity
Iodide reacts with thyroglobulin to form which possible compounds?
MIT - mono-iodotyrosine
DIT - do-iodotyrosine
A condensation reaction between which molecules creates the thyroid hormones?
MIT and DIT (different combinations create the different hormones)
Why is iodide brought into the cell via a sodium potassium pump?
Because the concentration in the cell is higher than in the blood, therefore moving against its concentration gradient. This process requires energy
MIT + DIT =?
T3 or rT3 (depending on order)
DIT + DIT = ?
T4
How does t4 or T3 move from the colloid where it was produced into the cell?
Through endocytosis
Once in the cell, thyroglobulin with T3 or T4 attached fuses with which molecule?
A lysosome
What happens with the lysosome fuses with thyroglobulin with T4 or T3 attached?
It digests / breaks down the thyroglobulin, leaving just the hormone, which is then released into circulation
Around 90% of thyroid hormones secreted are in which form?
T4
What impact would declined liver function have on thyroid hormones?
Inability to effectively convert T4 into T3, meaning less activity
What hormone is released from the hypothalamus that acts on the anterior pituitary in relation to thyroid hormones?
TRH - thyrotrophin releasing hormone
The anterior pituitary releases which hormone that acts on the thyroid gland?
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
What effect does TSH have on the thyroid gland?
Promotes growth of the gland (tropic effect)
Promotes the release of hormones
Describe the negative feedback loop of thyroid hormones
T3 and T4 feedback to the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary which shuts of release of TRH / TSH
Describe the effect of thyroid hormones on metabolism
Thyroid hormones increase the oxygen consumption of cells, resulting in heat production. This increases the basal metabolic rate (BMR)
How does excess thyroid hormones cause muscle weakness
Has a catabolic effect on proteins and causes muscle breakdown
How does thyroid hormone deficiency cause muscle weakness?
Not enough metabolism / energy production
Other than skeletal muscle development, the growth of which other area of the body is dependent on normal thyroid hormone levels?
The CNS. Thyroid hormones are essential for CNS maturation during early years and maintenance of brain function in adults
Why are thyroid conditions increased during pregnancy?
Due to high metabolic demand
Define euthyroid
Normal levels of free thyroid hormones