WEEK 6 Flashcards
Where are T3 and T4 produced?
Thyroid follicular cells (surround follicles in the thyroid)
What is colloid?
The fluid contained in follicles
Where is calcitonin produced and secreted from?
Parafollicular (C) cells (exist outside follicles)
What are the three hormones produced and secreted from the Thyroid gland?
T3 (triiodithyronine)
T4 (tetraiodothyronine/thyroxine)
Calcitonin
What is the action of the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4)?
Control of metabolism (energy generation and use)
Regulation of growth
Multiple roles in development
Describe the process of thyroid hormone synthesis
Synthesised by the thyroglobulin precursor
Iodine is absorbed from the bloodstream and concentrated in follicles which thyroperoxidase binds to tyrosine residues in thyroglobulin molecules to form MIT and DIT (monoiodotyrosine and diiodotyrosine)
What is T3 composed of?
MIT+DIT (3 iodine atoms)
What is T4 composed of?
DIT+DIT (4 iodine atoms)
What negative feedback is received in the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis?
Secretion of TRH is inhibited by T3
Secretion of TSH is inhibited by T3 and T4
Describe the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis
TRH secreted from hypothalamus, TSH secreted from anterior pituitary gland, T3 and T4 secreted from thyroid gland to target tissues
What are the steps of the process of thyroid hormone synthesis?
1) TSH binds to TSHR on basolateral membrane of follicular cells
2) Uptake of I- by Na/I symporter (NIS)
3) Iodination of Tg tyrosine residues by TPO (thyroperoxidase)
4) Coupling of iodotyrosine residues by TPO on apical membrane
5) Export of mature Tg to colloid where it’s stored
Which of T3 and T4 is biologically active?
T3
How is T3 produced from T4?
Mono-deiodination of T4 which is most abundant via deiodinase (DI, DII and DIII) enzymes present in peripheral tissue
How are T3 and T4 molecules transported?
Via thyroid hormone binding proteins (albumin/transthyretin/TBG (thyroxine binding globulin))
Why is there such a minor proportion of free T3 and T4?
Most is bound to proteins
What are the tests for thyroid function?
Serum TSH
Serum free T3
Serum free T4
What is Hyperthyroidism?
Overactivity of the thyroid gland
What is Hypothyroidism?
Underactivity of the thyroid gland
What is Goitre?
Enlargement of the thyroid gland
What do tests for thyroid function show for hyperthyroidism?
Decreased serum TSH
Increased serum fT3 and fT4
What do tests for thyroid function show for hypothyroidism?
Increased serum TSH
Decreased serum fT3 and fT4
What is aetiology?
The manner of causation of a disease or condition
Common aetiology for hyperthyroidism
Graves’ hyperthyroidism-most common
Toxic nodular goitre (single or multinodular)
Thyroiditis (silent, subacute): inflammation