In recent years, as the incidence of thyroid disease continues to rise, more and more people are becoming concerned about the health of the thyroid gland. The first time I saw a woman, I was able to see her. The company’s main goal is to provide a comprehensive range of products and services to the public.
Let’s take a look at how this small organ plays an important role.
How is thyroid hormone synthesized?
The thyroid is an endocrine gland whose main function is to secrete thyroid hormones. By “endocrine”, we mean that thyroid hormones are released directly into the bloodstream and carried by the blood throughout the body, acting on multiple organs and tissues and exerting a powerful regulatory effect on multiple body functions.
The synthesis of thyroid hormones is a complex process. Let’s make a simple analogy: hormone synthesis can be thought of as a factory making a product, requiring “raw materials” (iodine), “workers” (healthy thyroid cells), and just the right “working conditions “
The synthesis of hormones can be thought of as a factory making products.
Iodine comes from our daily diet, and healthy thyroid cells have the ability to take up iodine. Normally, in the thyroid cells, iodine and thyroglobulin (Tg) are synthesized with the involvement of enzymes (thyroid peroxidase, TPO), and thyroid hormones are stored in the thyroid gland and released into the blood by the thyroid cells when needed.
The synthesis and release of thyroid hormone is a dynamic equilibrium process regulated by another hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). When the body is deficient in thyroid hormone, our pituitary gland releases more TSH, which stimulates the synthesis of thyroid hormone. Conversely, when there is too much thyroid hormone, the pituitary gland secretes less TSH, and thyroid hormone synthesis is reduced.
Usually, the levels of thyroid hormones in our body remain stable under this precise regulation. But when one of the three things changes: iodine, thyroid cells, and TSH, the balance is disturbed, there is an “excess” or “deficiency” of thyroid hormones, and we get sick.
What does thyroid hormone do?
What does thyroid hormone do?
The main role of thyroid hormones is to promote the metabolism of substances and energy, and to promote growth and development. During fetal development, thyroid hormone deficiency can lead to impaired neurological development, and babies are born with low intelligence and short stature, which is called “cretinism” or “cretinism”.
After birth, thyroid hormones promote long bone and tooth growth. Insufficient thyroid hormone can also affect growth hormone, causing growth retardation in children.
For adults, the role of the thyroid is to promote cellular metabolism. This action is broad and powerful and can affect the function of various organs. When hyperthyroidism (“hyperthyroidism”) occurs, patients tend to be agitated, have mood swings, tachycardia, increased gastrointestinal motility, and diarrhea, while hypothyroidism (“hypothyroidism”) occurs with memory loss, daytime sleepiness, chills, bloating, and infertility. The following is a list of some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism.
The symptoms of a typical thyroid abnormality are easy to recognize, but in the early stages of the disease, patients often have no discomfort, or if they do notice some symptoms, they don’t know they are thyroid-related. We hope that after reading this article, you will be more aware of thyroid function and pay more attention to thyroid health.
Co-written by Dr. Tingting Zhang, Cancer Hospital of Fudan University