#KYJ- Goitre and thyroid hormones

#KYJ -Goitre

Questions continue to come in about Thyroid symptoms and medication.

Here is a selection:

“Rob, you mentioned Goitre in a recent post, what causes it? And how is it linked to iodine“

Goitre is a common term used to describe the typical swelling of the thyroid gland (and surrounding tissues) when it has become inflamed or overactive.   

The causes are :

Autoimmune flares (Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s) or inflammation of the thyroid (Thyroiditis).

Iodine deficiency- thyroid uses iodine to manufacture its two hormones (T3 and T4), so in iodine deficiency, the thyroid gland will become over active in an attempt to convert T4 into T3.... more on that later.

Physical manipulation/massage or trauma of the thyroid, 

pituitary or thyroid tumours, 

Hyperthyroidism – This condition refers to an overactive thyroid gland, or one that produces too much hormone. 

Hypothyroidism – This condition refers to an underactive thyroid gland, or one that produced too little hormone. The diminished activity can also result in goiter. Hashimoto’s disease, another autoimmune disorder, is one manifestation of this.  

Thyroid Nodules – Sometimes, the thyroid develops benign nodules. This results in an enlargement of the gland as a whole.

Being a woman - Pregnancy and Menopause– Hormonal changes can affect the thyroid, resulting in enlargement.

Age is a factor(>40).

The thyroid gland used Iodine to make two hormones in response to a chemical signal from the Pituitary gland.   The pituitary regulates most endocrine organ functions by secreting stimulating or inhibiting hormones to regulate metabolism.   In the case of thyroid function, the pituitary gland secretes TRH Thyrotropin regulating hormone  and TSH- Thyroid stimulating hormone.

In response, the Thyroid manufactures 

T3- triiodothyronine (remember T3=Tri), 

and it’s quarter strength cousin Thyroxine (T4).

The low potency T4 Thyroxine is released into circulation as a precursor.   It is converted by the thyroid into the active T3-triiodothyronine, where it attaches to receptors on most tissues to upregulate/or stimulate their function.   Thus, T3&4 increase metabolism, heart rate, fat mobilisation, temperature, etc.

If you had a condition where you were deficient in TSH from the pituitary gland, or a problem with your thyroid gland, then your thyroid function would be poor.   

This is treated with administration of Thyroxine (T4) supplements.

For people with zero thyroid function still intact, a synthetic T3 -triiodothyronine can also be given.

Remember, T4 needs some functioning thyroid gland to convert Thyroxine into triiodothyronine the active metabolic hormone.  The liver can act as a T3 to T4 converter, but not as efficiently as a piece s of intact thyroid gland, so for post radical Thyroidectomy patients a T4 supplement is usually prescribed.

Common brand name of T4 supplement is called Liothyronine.   It is ready to go Thyroid super juice.  Needs no conversion and though 4 times more potent than Thyroxine, only has a very short half life.

Hope you have enjoyed your little thyroid refresher... fueled by questions from page followers.

I tried to answer 5 questions in this post.. I hope yours was there.😉.

#KYJ -Thyroid

Brought to you by the letters T and the the numbers 3 & 4.

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