Thyroid Flashcards
What is the process called that concentrates iodide in the cell?
Iodide trapping
How does iodide get into thyroid cells?
Sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) which co-transports one iodide with two sodium ions
What ensures there is a concentration gradient for sodium in thyroid cells so iodide can be transported in?
Na/K ATPase which pumps sodium out of cell
Where is thyroglobulin produced and modified?
Produced in the RER and modified in the Golgi apparatus of follicular cells
What molecule on thyroglobulins does iodine combine with to form thyroid hormones?
Tyrosine
What needs to happen to iodide ion before it can bind to tyrosine and what promotes this?
Oxidation (removal of electrons) to iodine by peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide
When one molecule of iodine is bound to a tyrosin on thyroglobulin what is the product called?
Monoiodotyrosine (T1)
Where is thyroglobulin with iodine atoms attached stored?
Lumen of thyroid follicle and is called colloid
What is the process by which colloid re-enters follicular cells?
Pinocytosis
What cleaves T3 and T4 from thyroglobulin?
Digestive enzymes (e.g. proteases) released by lysosomes
What is the main plasma protein that T3 and T4 bind to?
Thyroxine-binding globulin.
The biologically active hormones are unbound
What is the long name of T3
Triiodothyronine
What is the long name of T4
(tetraiodothyronine) Thyroxine
Name 3 actions of TSH
1) Active uptake of iodine
2) Stimulates uptake of colloid
3) Induces growth of the thyroid gland
4) Stimulates other reactions involved in thyroid hormone synthesis
What is the most common cause of congenital hypothyroidism?
Absence of thyroid or ectopic thyroid
What is a treatment for hypothyroidism?
Thyroxine
What is the commonest non-iatrogenic cause of hypothyroidism in the UK and how does it cause hypothyroidism?
Hashimoto’s Disease.
Autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase and/or thyroglobulin
What supplements can interfere with treatment of hypothyroidism?
Calcium and iron supplements
What is Graves’ disease?
Autoimmune thyroid disease that causes hyperthyroidism
What is more common in the UK hyper or hypo thyroidism and is it more common in men or women?
Hypothyroidism more common and both more common in women.