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Triiodothyronine Conversion

Meaning

Triiodothyronine Conversion is the essential metabolic process where the relatively inactive prohormone thyroxine (T4), which is secreted by the thyroid gland, is enzymatically transformed into the highly potent, biologically active hormone triiodothyronine (T3) within peripheral tissues. This conversion, primarily regulated by a family of deiodinase enzymes, represents the critical final step in thyroid hormone action, directly determining the cellular metabolic rate and energy expenditure throughout the body. Impairment in this peripheral pathway can lead to persistent clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism despite technically normal circulating T4 levels.