Andy Herrera Francisco Diaz Jorge De Pena The Endocrine System Andy Herrera Francisco Diaz Jorge De Pena

What is Thyroxide? Thyroxine (T4) is one of the hormones produced by the thyroid gland that helps regulate the adrenal system, and plays a role in energy, normal growth and development, ability to maintain a healthy weight, and in mood stability.

What is triiodothyronine? The other hormone produced by the thyroid gland is T3 or triiodothyronine. Triiodothyronine, also known as T3, is a thyroid hormone. It affects almost every physiological process in the body, including growth and development, metabolism, body temperature, and heart rate.

What produces them? Both of these hormones get produced when the pituitary gland creates thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Either of these hormones may be excessive (hyperthyroidism) or below normal levels (hypothyroidism) and this can have serious effects on the body. The pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 5 grams in humans. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and rests in a small, bony cavity covered by a dural fold.

Production and Secretion The production and secretion of thyroxine and triiodothyronine by the thyroid gland are stimulated by the hypothalamic hormone thyrotropin-releasing hormone and the anterior pituitary hormone thyrotropin. In turn, the thyroid hormones inhibit the production and secretion of both thyrotropin-releasing hormone and thyrotropin. Decreased production of thyroid hormone results in increased thyrotropin secretion and thus increased thyroid hormone secretion. This restores serum thyroid hormone concentrations to normal levels

Function The function of thyroxine is to control metabolism. If you have a under active thyroid then you may gain weight. With and over active thyroid you may lose weight quickly.

Hyper secretion problems The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves disease. This disease is caused by antibodies, formed by the immune system, inadvertently attacking the thyroid gland, which causes the hypersecretion of thyroid hormones. There are also several types of diseases in the category of thyroiditis, which describes any condition that causes inflammation of the thyroid. The inflammation stimulates the thyroid gland to produce additional thyroid hormone.

Symtoms There are a number of different symptoms that hyperthyroidism can cause. Among them are anxiety or irritability, as well as trouble sleeping. Patients may also suffer from fine muscle tremors, intolerance to heat and perspiration. Other symptoms include a rapid or irregular heartbeat, brittle hair, weight loss despite normal food intake and an increase in the number of bowel movements experienced each day. Graves disease can also cause the development of a goiter and a characteristic bulging of the eyes, which is also known Graves ophthalmopathy.

Treatment There are several ways in which hyperthyroidism can be treated. Radioactive iodine can be given to kill off any nodules, which are producing too much thyroid hormone. Medications can also be given, which will inhibit the thyroid's ability to make hormones. In some cases, the thyroid may be surgically removed, which will require the patient then to take synthetic thyroid hormone to compensate for the lost thyroid hormones. Finally, beta-blockers can be given to ease the strain of hyperthyroidism on the heart.

Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid_hormone http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/594629/thyroid-gland/285813/Regulation-of-thyroid-hormone-secretion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triiodothyronine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pituitary_Gland Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6s6SZ9Vnbk