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Thyroid Hormone Conversion

Meaning

Thyroid Hormone Conversion is the essential physiological process by which the prohormone thyroxine (T4), secreted predominantly by the thyroid gland, is metabolically transformed into the biologically active hormone triiodothyronine (T3) in peripheral tissues. This conversion, mediated primarily by the deiodinase enzymes, is a critical regulatory step that dictates the local availability of T3, the main driver of cellular metabolism. Suboptimal conversion is a common clinical challenge, often linked to nutrient deficiencies, chronic stress, or systemic inflammation, and can result in symptoms of hypothyroidism despite normal T4 levels.