Week 10 - The Thyroid Gland Flashcards
1
Q
How are T3 and T4 transported in the blood?
A
Bound to proteins: Thyronine binding globulin, albumin, pre-albumin
2
Q
Which of the thyroid hormones (T3 or T4) has a shorter half-life? Why?
A
T3 has a shorter half-life (2 days compared to 8 days for T4)
T3 has a slightly lower affinity for the transport proteins compared to T4 and hence, a greater percentage is free and its half-life in the circulation is therefore shorter
3
Q
Outline the trophic effects of TSH on the thyroid gland.
A
- Increased vascularity
- Increase in size
- Increase in the number of follicle cells
