Week 6 Flashcards
Function of thyroid hormones
Control of metabolism: energy generation and use
Regulation of growth
Multiple roles in development
Control of TH secretion
Hypothalamus secretes TRH to pituitary which stimulates release of TSH which then stimulates the thyroid to release T4 (mainly) and T3 to target tissue
Negative feedback mechanism
Thyroid hormone synthesis
Produced by follicular thyroid cells
Synthesised from the thyroglobulin precursors
Iodine is absorbed from bloodstream and concentrated in follicles
Thyroperoxidase binds iodine to tyrosine residues in thyroglobulin molecules to form MIT and DIT
MIT & DIT =T3
DIT & DIT= T4
What is T3
Triiodothyronine
What is T4
Thyroxine
Prohormone, inactive form
Thyroid hormone synthesis 2
TSH binds to TSHR on the basolateral membrane of one of the follicular cells
I- uptake by Na/I symporter NIS
Iodination of thyroglobulin tyrosyl residues by thyroperoxidase TPO
Coupling of iodotyrosyl residues by TPO
Export of mature thyroglobulin to colloid where its stored
Thyroid gland anatomy
Located in neck
Brownish-red
25-30g
Thin fibrous capsule of connective tissue
Right and left lobes united by a narrow isthmus
T3
biologically active hormone
Produced by mono-deiodination of T4 which is most abundant
Deiodinase (D1, D2, D3) enzymes present in peripheral tissues
Tests of thyroid function
Serum TSH
Serum free T4
Serum free T3
Hyperthyroidism
Produce more thyroid hormones
Negative feedback
Decreased serum TSH
Increased serum free T4 and T3
Hypothyroidism
Doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones
Increased serum TSH
Decreased serum free T4 and T3
What is a goitre
Enlargement/ swelling of the thyroid gland
Aetiology of hyperthyroidism
Graves’ hyperthyroidism
Toxic nodular goitre (single or multinodular)
Thyroiditis (silent, subacute) inflammation
Exogenous iodine
Factitious (taking excess thyroid hormone)
TSH secreting pituitary adenoma
Neonatal hyperthyroidism
Symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism
Cardiovascular: tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, shortness of breath, ankle swelling
Neurological: tremor, myopathy (muscle weakness), anxiety
Gastrointestinal: weight loss, diarrhoea, increased appetite
Eyes/skin: sore gritty eyes, double vision, staring eyes, pruritus (itching) skin
Graves’ disease
60-80% cases of hyperthyroidism
Pathogenic antibodies to TSH receptor on thyroid follicular cells (long acting thyroid stimulators)
Interplay between genetic and environmental factors (gender, stress, infection, pregnancy and drugs)
Long acting antibodies (auto-antibody to receptor), stimulate hormone synthesis, unregulated overproduction of the thyroid hormones
Extrathyroidal manifestations
Eyes: lid lag/retraction, conjunctival oedema (swelling), periorbital puffiness, proptosis (bulging), ophthalmoplegia (weakness of eye muscle)
Skin: pretibial myxoedema, acropachy (swelling of hands and clubbing of fingers)
Neonatal hyperthyroidism
TSH-R antibodies cross the placenta
Control hyperthyroidism in mother during pregnancy to help condition in child
Speeding up metabolism
Treatment of hyperthyroidism
Anti thyroid drugs to block hormone synthesis
Surgical removal of thyroid- not done as frequently
Radioiodine 131I therapy
Aetiology of hypothyroidism
Autoimmune- hashimoto thyroiditis (fibrosis and shrinkage) (TPO and Tg antibodies- genetic predisposition)
After treatment of hyperthyroidism
Subacute/silent thyroiditis
Iodine deficiency
Congenital (thyroid agenesis (absence of thyroid tissue)/enzyme defects)
Symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism
Cardiovascular: bradycardia (slow heart rate), heart failure, pericardial effusion (build up of fluid in pericardium- double layered structure around heart)
Gastrointestinal: weight gain, constipation
Skin: myxoedema, rash on legs, vitiligo
Neurological: depression, psychosis, carpal tunnel syndrome (pressure on nerve in wrist causes pain and numbness in hand)