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The Thyroid

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Principles of Endocrinology and Hormone Action

Part of the book series: Endocrinology ((ENDOCR))

Abstract

The thyroid gland is an endocrine organ located in the lower neck that is responsible for the production of thyroid hormone, an iodinated peptide hormone integral to proper physiologic function. The thyroid follicular cell uniquely concentrates iodine and, via the process of organification, incorporates it into thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is released from the gland predominantly in the form of thyroxine (T4) and circulates bound to specific plasma proteins that create an available pool of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones are metabolism via a system of selenoproteins called iodothyronine deiodinases that can convert thyroxine to more active forms, such as triiodothyronine (T3), or create inactive metabolites. In response to inadequate thyroid hormone, the pituitary gland secretes thyrotropin (TSH) that stimulates thyroid hormone production, which in turn inhibits pituitary TSH release in a classical negative feedback loop. This chapter discusses the synthesis of thyroid hormone and the exquisite mechanisms of regulation and metabolism that govern thyroid status in the body. Particular attention is paid to important physiologic states affecting thyroid status including pregnancy and aging.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Thyroid Section, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Trevor E. Angell & Erik K. Alexander

  2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Trevor E. Angell & Erik K. Alexander

  3. Thyroid Program of the Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Stephen A. Huang

Authors
  1. Trevor E. Angell
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  2. Stephen A. Huang
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  3. Erik K. Alexander
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Trevor E. Angell .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy

    Antonino Belfiore

  2. Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, New York, USA

    Derek LeRoith

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Angell, T.E., Huang, S.A., Alexander, E.K. (2018). The Thyroid. In: Belfiore, A., LeRoith, D. (eds) Principles of Endocrinology and Hormone Action. Endocrinology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44675-2_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44675-2_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-44674-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-44675-2

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