Thyroid Gland Overview and Hormone Functions

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary mechanism for the formation of T3 in the body?

  • Deiodination of T4 in peripheral tissues such as the liver and kidneys. (correct)
  • Condensation of one DIT and one MIT molecule within the thyroid gland.
  • Direct synthesis from two DIT molecules in the thyroid follicle.
  • Secretion of T3 directly from the thyroid at a rate of 80 g/day.

Which plasma protein has the highest affinity for T4, despite having the smallest binding capacity?

  • Iodotyrosine deiodinase
  • Albumin
  • Prealbumin (Transthyretin)
  • Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) (correct)

What is the fate of the remaining DIT & MIT within the thyroid follicle that are not immediately used for T3 or T4 synthesis?

  • They are catabolized and excreted in urine.
  • They are secreted directly into the bloodstream.
  • They are stored indefinitely within the follicle for later use.
  • They are deiodinated to recover iodine and tyrosine for hormone synthesis. (correct)

Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between free and bound thyroid hormones in plasma?

<p>Bound thyroid hormones act as a reservoir, while free hormones are biologically active and regulate TSH secretion. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If the production of reverse T3 (rT3) was blocked, how would T4 metabolism be affected?

<p>T4 would only be converted to T3. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of thyroid metabolic hormones (T3 and T4) in the body?

<p>To regulate lipid and carbohydrate metabolism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of hypothyroidism in adult life?

<p>Physical slowing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between T3 and T4?

<p>T4 is converted to T3 in peripheral tissues. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During thyroid hormone synthesis, what is the role of thyroglobulin?

<p>It contains tyrosine residues that are iodinated. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of thyroid peroxidase enzymes in thyroid hormone production?

<p>They mediate the oxidation and reaction of iodine with thyroglobulin. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long does the colloid serve as a reservoir for thyroid hormones?

<p>2 months (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the synthesis of thyroid hormone production

<p>Transport of iodine into colloid of the thyroid follicles (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the structure of thyroglobulin?

<p>A conjugated protein which includes a carbohydrate (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Thyroid gland

Butterfly-shaped gland in front of the neck, largest endocrine gland.

Metabolic hormones (T4 & T3)

Thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism, O2 consumption, and influence body mass.

Hypothyroidism

Condition resulting in mental/physical slowing and cold intolerance.

Hyperthyroidism

Condition causing body wasting, nervousness, and heat production.

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Thyroglobulin

Glycoprotein containing tyrosine residues, serves as a thyroid hormone reservoir.

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Iodination

Process of adding iodine to tyrosine, essential for thyroid hormone synthesis.

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Thyroid peroxidase

Enzyme that mediates oxidation and iodination of tyrosine residues.

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Colloid

Fluid in thyroid follicles that stores thyroglobulin and thyroid hormones.

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T4 Formation

T4 is formed by the oxidative condensation of two DIT molecules.

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T3 Formation

T3 is produced by the condensation of one DIT and one MIT, with some reverse T3 formed as a trace.

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Thyroid Hormone Distribution

Thyroid hormones distribution in the follicle: T4 (35%), T3 (7%), DIT (33%), MIT (3%).

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Plasma Protein Binding

T4 is bound mostly by thyroxine-binding globulin, with only 0.02% free in plasma.

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T4 Metabolism

T4 is mainly metabolized into T3 (33%) and reverse T3 (45%), primarily in the liver and kidneys.

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Study Notes

Thyroid Gland

  • The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped structure located in the front of the neck.
  • It is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body.
  • It secretes metabolic hormones (T4 and T3) and calcitonin.
  • T4 is the primary secreted hormone; T3 is biologically active.

Thyroid Hormone Synthesis and Secretion

  • Thyroid hormones are iodinated.
  • T4 (thyroxine) has four iodine atoms, T3 (triiodothyronine) has three.
  • Thyroid hormones are synthesized from tyrosine amino acids.
  • Steps in synthesis include iodine transport, oxidation, iodination of tyrosine, endocytosis of thyroglobulin, and thyroid hormone release.
  • Thyroglobulin is a glycoprotein containing tyrosine.
  • Thyroid peroxidase is a membrane-bound enzyme that oxidizes iodine and couples it with tyrosine.

Thyroid Metabolic Hormones

  • Function:
    • Stimulate oxygen consumption in body cells.
    • Regulate lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.
    • Influence body mass and mentation.
  • Dysfunction:
    • In fetal/neonatal life: Absence or hypofunction leads to severe mental retardation and dwarfism.
    • In adulthood:
      • Hypothyroidism: Mental and physical slowing, cold intolerance.
      • Hyperthyroidism: Body wasting, nervousness, tachycardia, tremor, excess heat production.

Thyroid Hormones in Normal Adult Humans

  • Secretion rates:
    • T4: 80 µg/day
    • T3: 4 µg/day
    • RT3: 2 µg/day
    • Most T₃ and RT₃ are formed in tissues by deiodination of T₄.
    • T₄ is conjugated and excreted.

Thyroid Hormone Transport

  • Thyroid hormones are primarily bound to plasma proteins (TBG, prealbumin, albumin).
  • The bound form acts as a reservoir.
  • The free form of the hormone is biologically active.
  • Normal plasma levels of T4 are around 8 µg/dL, and T3 is about 0.15 µg/dL.

Thyroid Hormone Metabolism

  • T₄ is deiodinated to T₃ in the periphery.
  • T₃ and T₄ participate in metabolism, and activation.

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