FUNCTION OF THYROID HORMONE

Muhammad Wajid
Institute of Pharmacy
 Effect on lipid metabolism:
2

 Increases mobilization of fatty acids from their

sources

 Increases the oxidation of free fatty acids

 Decreases phospholipids, triglycerides and cholesterol

in the blood

Muhammad Wajid
 Effect on carbohydrates metabolism:
3

 Increases absorption of glucose from GIT

 Increases peripheral utilization of glucose

 Increase insulin secretion

 Increases glycolysis in the liver

 Increases gluconeogenesis

 Increases uptake of glucose by the cells

Muhammad Wajid
 Effect on Protein metabolism:
4

 Increases protein synthesis by increasing the

translation process in ribosomes and transcription
process in the nucleus

 Normal of T3 and T4 have a protein anabolic effect,

but large amount of T3 and T4 have protein catabolic
effect

 Produces negative nitrogen balance in the body

Muhammad Wajid
 Effect on water and mineral:
5

 Promotes demineralization of bones

 Increases excretion of calcium and phosphates in the

urine

 Causes diuresis

 Increase K+ excretion

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 Effect on Vitamin Metabolism:
6

 T4 is necessary for the synthesis of Vitamin A from β-

carotene

 In hypothyroidism, blood β-carotene level increases to

give a yellow color to the skin

 It does not give yellow color to the sclera

Muhammad Wajid
 Effects on CNS:
7

 Hyperthyroidism is likely to develop anxiety,

nervousness and difficulty in sleeping

 In children, hypothyroidism may cause mental

retardation while in adults causes somnolence

Muhammad Wajid
 Effects on CVS:
8

 Increase heart rate

 Increase venous return
 Increase cardiac output
 A slight increase in T3 and T4 increases the strength
of heart beat. However an excessive increase in T3
and T4 will decrease the strength of a heart beat.
 Increases blood volume due to vasodilation
 Increases pulse pressure

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 Effect on Respiration:
9

 Causes increased utilization of O2 and formation of

CO2

 Increase pulmonary ventilation

 Increase the rate of depth of ventilation

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 Effect on GIT:
10

 Increase the rate of absorption

 Increase appetite

 Increase food intake

 Increase secretion of digestive juices

 Increase the motility of GIT

 Causes diarrhoea
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 Effect on Reproductive System:
11

 Essential for normal reproduction

 Fertility is reduced due to hypoactivity of the

hormone

 Hypothyroidism may cause decrease in libido in males

as well as females

 Necessary for normal lactation

Muhammad Wajid
 Effect on mitochondria:
12

 Increases the number and size of mitochondria

 Increases the activity of mitochondria

 Increases the ATP formation

 Increases intracellular enzymes such as the oxidative

enzymes of mitochondria, due to increase in protein
synthesis
Muhammad Wajid
 Effect on Muscles:
13

 A muscle weakness occurs in most patients with

hyperthyroidism called thyrotoxic myopathy

 When the hyperthyroidism is severe and prolonged,

the myopathy may be severe

 Hypothyroidism is also associated with muscle

weakness, cramps and stiffness

Muhammad Wajid
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Muhammad Wajid