H-P AXIS-THYROID

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe the morphology and biological role of the
thyroid.
2. Explain the structure of thyroid hormones, their
synthesis and secretion by follicular cells.
3. Describe how plasma thyroid hormone levels are
regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary axis, by
conversion (deiodinases), and by carriers.
4. Describe the mechanism of action of thyroid hormones.
5. Explain the effect of hyper- and hypo-secretion of thyroid
hormone on basal metabolism. What happens to thyroid
hormone in prolonged fasting and in restricted diets?
STRUCTURE
OF GLAND

Gland changes in size

Thyroid gland has 2 lobes with activity state
THYROID HORMONES

Relative activity: T3> T4>> rT3 (inactive)

Both iodine atoms on inner ring and one on
outer ring essential
FOLICULAR CELL ACTIVITY
H-P-THYROID AXIS

Caloric signal = leptin from fat

High leptin levels in blood

indicate “full” fuel stores.
TH axis is activated
TISSUE CONVERSION
BY DEIODINASES
Deiodinase I - regulated
by energy levels.

Deiodinase II - not regulated.

Which deiodinase regulates

CNS, heart and skeletal
Muscle?
In mild fasting, shift to T4 state = lower metabolic rate.

Why is TSH reduced in severe fasting?

PATHOLOGY
TOO LITTLE:
Congenital hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Goiter

TOO MUCH:
Hyperthyroidism
Grave’s Disease
Goiter

IODINE DEFICIENCY:
Goiter- absence of hormone
KEY CONCEPTS
T3 and T4 are synthesized and secreted by the thyroid
gland in response to TSH.

Thyroid hormones are formed from the hydrolysis of

iodinated thyroglobulin.

Dietary iodine is essential for the hormone synthesis.

Under normal conditions, the majority of T3 is made

from T4 in the peripheral tissues by enzymes called
deiodinases. This is an important site for regulating BMR.

Thyroid hormones are essential for the development of

the nervous system, for normal body growth and to
regulate basal energy and temperature.