by Tarek Musslimani

Created on: July 29, 2010

Hypothyroidism refers to an endocrine disorder of the thyroid gland in which it secretes the thyroid hormone  to the blood circulation in deficient quantities.  In this article, there will be a discussion of the causes of this disorder in addition to the medical symptoms and the possible treatments.   The thyroid gland is situated in the anterior part of the neck and is specialized for the secretion of of three hormones.  Two of them are derivatives of each other.  These hormones are: Thyroxine and triiodothyronine.  The other hormone is called calcitonin and is synthesized and secreted by specialized cells of the thyroid gland which are called parafollicular cells. 

This hormone has an important function in the homeostasis of calcium ions in the blood.  This hormone is not involved in the condition which is called hypothyroidism.  The other two hormones which are secreted by the thyroid gland are derivatives of each other by a modification of one iodine atom. 

Thyroid hormone is the main hormone that is affected in the condition that is called hypothyroidism.  This hormone requires iodine atom for its biosynthesis in the thyroid cells.  This iodine atom must be supplied in the diet.  Otherwise goiter can develop which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland.   This condition can occur due to the deficient amount of iodine that is required for the normal function of the thyroid hormone.

The thyroid hormone in both forms thyroxine and triiodothyronine is required for the proper functioning and growing of the body tissues.   It is required for the metabolic processes in the body.  This hormone stimulates the increase in matabolic rates in the bodyby increasing the sythesis of proteins.  In addition, it has a general effect on all body tissues promoting all types of metabolic functions in the body.

The thyroid hormone is derived from the amino acid tyrosine by biochemical conversions which occur in the thyroid cells.  The thyroid hormone has a hydrophobic structure that can penetrate the cellular membrane of target tissues readily causing its effect by binding to nuclear receptors inside the nucleus of the cell, thus increasing the rate of proteins translation on the cellular ribosomes.   For all these important functions of the thyroid hormone we can understand the importance of constant supply of this hormone to the body

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