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Protirelin

Meaning

Protirelin is the synthetic pharmaceutical analog of the naturally occurring Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH), a tripeptide neurohormone secreted by the hypothalamus. Clinically, it is primarily employed as a diagnostic agent in the assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis function. When administered, Protirelin stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release Thyrotropin (TSH), the hormone that in turn stimulates the thyroid gland. This predictable physiological response allows endocrinologists to differentiate between primary, secondary, and tertiary causes of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, providing essential diagnostic clarity.