Hyperthyroidism (cont.)
Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C)
Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C) is an Attending Physician with the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and Associate Director of Clinical Research, Recruitment and Phenotyping with the Center for Androgen Related Disorders, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
In this Article
- What is hyperthyroidism?
- What are the thyroid hormones?
- Thyroid hormone regulation - the chain of command
- What causes hyperthyroidism?
- What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
- How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed?
- How is hyperthyroidism treated?
- What's best for you?
- Hyperthyroidism At A Glance
- Pictures of Hyperthyroidism - Slideshow
- Pictures of Thyroid Medical Anatomy
- Pictures of Thyroid Conditions - Slideshow
- Thyroid FAQs
- Find a local Endocrinologist in your town
Thyroid hormone regulation--the chain of command
The thyroid itself is regulated
by another
gland located in the brain, called the pituitary. In turn, the pituitary is regulated in part by thyroid hormone that is circulating in the blood (a
"feedback" effect of thyroid hormone on the pituitary gland) and in part by another
gland called the hypothalamus, also a
part of the brain.
The hypothalamus releases a hormone
called thyrotropin releasing hormone
(TRH), which sends a signal to the pituitary to release thyroid stimulating
hormone (TSH). In turn, TSH sends a signal to the thyroid to release thyroid
hormones. If overactivity of any of these three glands occurs, an excessive
amount of thyroid hormones can be produced, thereby resulting in
hyperthyroidism.
The rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the pituitary gland. If there is an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone circulating in the body to allow for normal functioning, the release of TSH is increased by the pituitary in an attempt to stimulate the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone. In contrast, when there is an excessive amount of circulating thyroid hormone, the release of TSH is reduced as the pituitary attempts to decrease the production of thyroid hormone.
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