Everything You Need to Know About Thyroid Hormones

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): This is the hormone that is released by the pituitary gland, the most important endocrine gland in the brain. Among other things, theThyroid stimulating hormone regulates pituitary secretion and stimulates the secretion of thyroid hormones.

Thyroid Hormones – The thyroid gland secretes two hormones which are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Both are composed of the chemical element, Iodine (I). They are important in balancing bodily functions and effect the respiratory and cardiovascular system, the brain, the body’s movement, sleep and digestion, and the work of other glands (e.g. the gonads). Both hormones are involved in the maintenance of the basic metabolism of cells and their deficiency can slow down metabolism by 40%. In addition, their excess can accelerate the metabolism by 60-100%. These changes in metabolism can often result in a change of body weight. If metabolism is slowed, an increase in weight is experienced, but at an accelerated metabolic rate will cause a person loses weight.

Higher levels of Thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH may lead to hypothyroidism and decreased levels may result in hyperthyroidism.

These two Thyroid Hormones are different in vary in the amount they are present in the body. They also serve different functions. In the blood, thyroxin (T4) makes about 90% of the thyroid hormone. Triiodothyronine (T3) works four times harder than the thyroxin (T4). If we imagine that at the thyroid gland stops working completely, the half-life (the time required to decompose half of the core of a substance) of triiodothyronine (T3) to replace it over is over two and a half years. In comparison, the half-life of the thyroxine (T4) hormone to take over is just for thirty days.

TRIIODOTHYRONINE (T3) – only a small part of T3 is produced directly in the thyroid. About 80% is produced from the conversion of thyroxine T4. Reference values of this hormone are between 1.3 and 3.1. As this transformation occurs in the liver, decreased T3 values do not necessarily refer to the problems of the thyroid. It could also be due to a change in liver function. Elevated Triiodothyronine T3 may be evidence of disorders of the thyroid, but it is important to take into account the values of T4 and the Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) for proper diagnosis.

THYROXIN (T4) – This is the hormone that is completely released in the thyroid gland. If the release occurs, it is under the influence of the Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Reference values of Triiodothyronine T4 range between 66 and 181. A reduced and increased level of Thyroxin T4 may be due to problems with the thyroid or may be the result of other health conditions.

Thyroxin T4 is important for the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid gland. It also plays an important role in the regulation of metabolism, heart rate, breathing rate, labor-sympathetic (and some vital functions), the menstrual cycle in women, as well as other processes in the body.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): This is the hormone that is released by the pituitary gland, the most important endocrine gland in the brain. Among other things, the Thyroid stimulating hormone regulates pituitary secretion and stimulates the secretion of thyroid hormones. Higher levels of Thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH may show hypothyroidism and decreased levels may indicate hyperthyroidism.  The Thyroid stimulating hormone reference value ranges between 0.3 and 3.0. However, TSH range that is between 1 and two is considered to be normal. If the range goes over 3.0, it may be a cause for concern.

Figuratively, if you imagine a busy intersection, the pituitary gland is the one that stands like a police officer at the center and regulates the traffic of the thyroid hormone and other hormones produced in  the endocrine (hormonal) system in the body. The thyroid gland receives information from the pituitary gland and the concentration of the Thyroid stimulating hormone. These dictates how their hormones should be released into the blood to maintain balance.

Control is really simple. If the pituitary gland registers lower amounts of Triiodothyronine and Thyroxin hormones in the blood, it will produce and excrete more Thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH into the bloodstream to stimulate the thyroid and increase secretion of the Triiodothyronine and Thyroxin hormones. Conversely, greater amounts of the non-Triiodothyronine and Thyroxin hormone, pituitary extract, will produce less Thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH.

In conclusion, a higher Thyroid stimulating hormone means that there is a shortage of Triiodothyronine and Thyroxin hormones in the blood and a lower stimulating hormone usually means that there is an excess of Triiodothyronine and Thyroxin hormones in the blood.

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