Thyroid Flashcards
What are the secretory units of the thyroid gland?
Follicles
Define colloid
amorphous material composed of thyroglobulin and iodinated thyroalbumin
What are the cell types within the thyroid?
- Follicles
- Colloid
- Parafollicular (C cells)
What are some examples of thyroid conditions?
- Goiter
- thyroiditis
- hypothyroidism
- hyperthyroidism
- grave’s disease
- thyroid cancer
- thyroid nodule
- thyroid storm
What is the biologically active thyroid hormone?
T3
How are T3 and T4 transported in the circulation?
- Thyroxin binding globulin (TBG)
- Thyroxin binding pre-albumin (TBPA)
- Albumin
What % of T3 is free?
0.2 - 0.4%
What % of T4 is free?
0.03%
what is the functional state of the hormone?
Free hormones
What is the function of free T4 and free T3?
- Regulate normal growth and development by maintaining body temperature and stimulating calorigenesis
- Affects carbohydrate, lipid and vitamin metabolism.
- Fetal and neonatal development also require thyroid hormones
How does low T4/T3 affect TRH and TSH levels?
low T4/T3 causes increased TRH and TSH
How do high T4/T3 affect pituitary response to TRH?
Inhibits it. Negative feedback loop
What are the indications for TT4?
- To confirm abnormal (high or low) TSH results.
- Diagnose hyperthyroidism
- Diagnose primary and secondary hypothyroidism
- Monitoring of TSH-suppression therapy
What is the principle thyroid hormone?
TT4
What happens when TT4 <2 ug/dL?
myxedema coma is possible
Critical value
What happens when TT4 >20 ug/dL?
thyroid storm (untreated hyperthyroidism) is possible.
What affects T4 levels?
carrier protein levels