Thyroid Hormone refers collectively to the iodine-containing hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), produced and released by the thyroid gland. These potent endocrine signals are the master regulators of the body’s basal metabolic rate, profoundly influencing heart function, digestion, muscle control, brain development, and bone maintenance. Maintaining precise levels of free T3 and T4 is essential for metabolic homeostasis and systemic vitality.
Origin
The term is derived from the Greek word thyreos, meaning shield, referencing the shape of the thyroid gland, combined with hormone, the chemical messenger. The isolation and synthesis of these hormones were significant achievements in early 20th-century endocrinology.
Mechanism
Thyroid hormones exert their regulatory function by entering target cells and binding to specific nuclear receptors, which then act as transcription factors to modulate gene expression. T4 is largely a prohormone, which is converted to the biologically active T3 in peripheral tissues by deiodinase enzymes. This genomic mechanism controls the expression of proteins involved in energy production and oxygen consumption, dictating the metabolic pace of nearly every cell in the body.
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