Human Biology- Endocrine System
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Added on 2020-02-05
Human Biology- Endocrine System
Added on 2020-02-05
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Human Biology: Endocrine System1Human Biology: Endocrine SystemStudent’s Name:Instructor’s Name:Date:
Human Biology: Endocrine System2Human Biology: Endocrine systemThyroid gland and homeostasis:In the homeostatic condition of the thyroid gland has an inherent relationship with thehypothalamus and the pituitary gland [1]. In homeostasis, the thyroid gland is essentiallyregulated or controlled by the hypothalamus [1, 2, 3]. Several stimuli of the central nervoussystem (CNS) acting for the modification of the activity of the endocrine system are primarilycarried out by the changes occurring in the rate of secretion from the pituitary gland [1, 2, 3].The control of the hypothalamus on the thyroid gland is, however, an often debated aspect andresearch is striving to establish a definite and plausible explanation for the hypothalamic controlof the thyroid [1, 2, 3]. It is known that the hypothalamus controls the secretion of trophichormones via a vital involvement of the hypothalamo-hypophysial portal vessels of thehypothalamus [3]. The evidence of the extent to which the thyroid gland is under the control ofthe hypothalamus is a constantly researched topic [1, 2, 3]. Several studies have indicated twosalient observations: a) There is a significant reduction in the thyroid activity following aninterruption in the vascular relationship between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary b)Electrolytic lesions of the hypothalamus cause a marked decrease in thyroid activity in animalmodels [3]. Thyroid hormoneThe hormonal secretion of the thyroid gland is an important contributor in the rate of metabolismand the cardiovascular functionality [1, 2, 3]. In pathological conditions, the thyroid hormone isaberrant and displays anomalous values [1, 2, 3]. These effects of thyroid hormone are directlyascribed to the functions of the thyroid hormones on peripheral organs including the heart [1, 2,3]. Tissues of the skeletal muscle etc are metabolically active and the effect of the thyroid
Human Biology: Endocrine System3hormone is profound in these tissues [1, 2, 3]. There are several underlying cellular mechanismsthat define the influence of the thyroid hormone on metabolic functions [1, 2, 3]. In conditions ofhyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, there is a marked influence on several metabolic functionsand tissue functions [1, 2, 3]. Recent research has indicated that the thyroid hormone regulatesthe molecular processes in metabolically active tissues via the brain which is an important targettissue of the thyroid hormone [1, 2, 3]. In the diagnosis of anomalies in the thyroid gland, thyroid hormone levels are tested [4, 5]. Thelevels of free thyroxin (T4) and serum triiodothyronine (T3) are measured in order to diagnoseabnormalities [4, 5]. The normal levels are T4 – 0.7 – 1.9 μg/dl i.e. 4.6 – 12 and T3 – 80-180 ng/dl respectively [4, 5]. In Helen’s case, the level of T4 is 15.2 μg/ dl and the level of T3 is 194.6ng/ dl, which is significantly higher than the normal serum levels of the hormones [4, 5]. Helen,presumably, has hyperthyroidism [4, 5]. However, a proper diagnosis has to be carried out inorder to ascertain that [4, 5]. Thyroid hormones are essential for the normal growth of individuals [6]. It is also an essentialcontributor in the regulation of metabolism in adult humans [5, 6]. The status of the thyroidhormone in the body largely dictates the metabolism level, energy usage, and body weightregulation in humans [5, 6]. Excess presence of thyroid hormones in the body leads to thecondition of hyperthyroidism [5, 6]. In hyperthyroidism, the individual experiences elevatedmetabolism rates, excessive loss of weight, increased energy expenditure etc [5, 6]. In certaincases, the occurrence of increase in gluconeogenesis and lipolysis is also likely [5, 6]. On thecontrary, hypothyroidism is a condition of lowered levels of thyroid hormones leading toremarkable reduction in metabolism, fatigue, increase in weight, loss of activity, decrease in
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