Thyroid Gland physiology Flashcards
What hormones does the thyroid gland produce?
Active T3 (triiodothyronine) and inactive T4 (tetraiodothyronine)
Describe the structure of the thyroid gland:
Thyroid follicle are surrounded by epithelial cells. Lumen in the center where thyroid hormones are stored in the colloid.
Also has parafollicular C cells that secrete calcitonin
What is the back bone of the thyroid hormone?
Thyroglobulin
What molecule is important for thyroid hormone synthesis?
Iodine (I2) from diet converted into I- and brought into thyroid gland via the iodide trap. Attached to the thyroid hormone
Draw out the synthesis equation of T3 and T4. What is the major product of this pathway?
Inactive T4. Later converted to T3 when needed via peripheral conversion
Draw the conversion pathway of T4 to T3
Ok
Peripheral conversion of T4 to active T3 can be hindered by …
Fasting
Physical stress
Catabolic disease
Draw the synthesis pathway of T3 and T4 inside the thyroid follicle
Ok
What enzyme recycles Thyroglobulin and Iodine? What happens if this is deficient?
Intrathyroidal deiodinase. Deficiency mimics Iodine dietary deficiency.
If there is low Iodine available, what is the favored product of thyroid synthesis?
T3 (requires less iodine)
What transports Iodine into the lumen of the thyroid follicle?
What happens if there is a mutation in this transporter?
Pendrin (a chloride iodide pump). Mutation = hypothyroidism = goiter and hearing loss since cochlear pendrin is also mutated.
How does hypothyroidism cause goiter?
TSH keeps stimulating the thyroid trying to make it make thyroid hormones = hyperplasia
What is perchlorate and thiocyanate?
Anions that compete with iodine binding to transporter. Decreases synthesis of thyroid hormones
How does PTU disrupt thyroid hormone synthesis?
What effect does this cause?
Disrupts peroxidase (which combines Iodine with TG) Causes buildup of Iodine which inhibits further synthesis of hormoness (Wolff-Chalkoff effect)
How does radioactive iodine uptake relate to thyroid gland activity?
Hyperthyroidism = more iodine uptake Hypothyroidism = less iodine uptake