Thyroid gland: Thyroid hormone synthesis
(What is T3, T4 and TSH?? How are they produced?)
Every single one of us has this butterfly-shaped organ situated below our Adam’s apple. But what exactly is this Thyroid gland? How does it function? How can we ensure that it remains healthy and we don’t suffer from any disorders? The article may get a little technical, but it is very interesting and you will find all your answers here!
So read on folks!!
The anatomy of our Thyroid Gland
Our thyroid gland is a 2.5-inch organ situated at our neck. It has small multiple cavities called follicles filled with a clear fluid known as Thyroglobulin(colloid). It acts as a reservoir of materials used for Thyroid hormone synthesis and contains iodine and tyrosine, an amino acid. It is produced by a layer of thyroid epithelial cells known as thyrocytes.
Thyroid Hormone Synthesis
Our thyroid gland functions with the help of the hormones it produces. It does so with the help of iodine, which is absorbed in our blood through the food we eat. The enzyme Thyroid Peroxidase(TPO) converts this iodine into its active form, which then combines with tyrosine in thyroglobulin through the process of iodination.
During iodination, each molecule of tyrosine combines with one or two iodine molecules, resulting in either monoiodotyrosine (T1) or diiodotyrosine (T2). The molecules then bond to form either triiodothyronine (T3) or thyroxine (T4). These molecules are stored in our thyroid glands until they are needed.
T1+T2=T3 or T2+T2=T4
Of the two final hormones that are produced, T3 is the main biologically active hormone and is responsible for all the activities that our Thyroid gland does. Yet 20 percent of the T3 hormone comes from thyroid secretion, while the remaining 80 percent comes from T4 when T4 is converted to T3 through the deiodination process in organs like the liver and kidney. Zinc is required to convert from T4 to T3.
Our brain(pituitary gland) controls the production of T3 and T4 by secreting a hormone called TSH, or Thyroid-stimulating hormone. During periods of low T3 and T4 levels, TSH is released while periods of high T3 and T4 levels stop TSH release.
It is important that all the ingredients(Iodine, selenium, zinc, tyrosine) required for the proper production of our thyroid hormones are readily available. Our liver/kidneys are required to function efficiently for the deiodination process to take place.
The two most common thyroid disorders are Hypothyroidism(Inadequate thyroid hormone production) and Hyperthyroidism(Overproduction of thyroid hormones). The following list of symptoms will provide you with some clarity in identifying the root disorder:
That wraps up my article. I hope this helps you in building your basics about our thyroid gland.
I’m a passionate health coach and member of a community known as Biomarked. We aim to educate and empower people about lifestyle issues like Diabetes Type 2, PCOS, Thyroid, Fatty Liver, etc. If you are on Instagram, I have been sharing regular health nuggets and several success stories of my friends and families I have been able to help.
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Your friend,
Ayush Agarwal