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15.8D: Control of Thyroid Hormone Release

  • Page ID
    7767
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    The production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine is regulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) that is released from the anterior pituitary.

    Learning Objectives
    • Explain how thyroid hormone release is controlled

    Key Points

    • Thyroid hormones are released from the thyroid under the control of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
    • TSH is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and is itself under the control of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).
    • TRH is secreted by the hypothalamus.
    • Both TSH and TRH secretion are inhibited when elevated thyroid hormone levels are detected in the blood and provide negative feedback to the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland.

    Key Terms

    • thyroid-stimulating hormone: A hormone released from the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the release of thyorid hormones.
    • thyrotropin-releasing hormone: A hormone released from the hypothalamus that stimulates thyroid-stimulating hormone production from the anterior pituitary gland.

    The production of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) is primarily regulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) that is released from the anterior pituitary gland. TSH release, in turn, stimulates the hypothalamus to secrete thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). This results in increased metabolism, growth, development and the activation of numerous other systems controlled by thyroid hormones.

    Thyroid hormones also provide negative feedback to the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland. When thyroid levels in the blood are elevated TSH and TRH production is reduced. Excessive TRH can also inhibit the production of further TRH.

    This is a diagram of the thyroid system. It shows how thyroid hormones are produced from the thyroid under the influence of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the anterior pituitary gland, which is itself under the control of thyroptropin-releasing hormone (TRH) secreted by the hypothalamus. Thyroid hormones provide negative feedback, inhibiting secretion of TRH and TSH when blood levels are high.

    The thyroid system: Thyroid hormones are produced from the thyroid under the influence of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the anterior pituitary gland, which is itself under the control of thyroptropin-releasing hormone (TRH) secreted by the hypothalamus. Thyroid hormones provide negative feedback, inhibiting secretion of TRH and TSH when blood levels are high.

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