The thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), are tyrosine-based hormones produced by the thyroid gland.

An important component in the synthesis is iodine.

The thyronines act on the body to increase the basal metabolic rate, affect protein synthesis and increase the body's sensitivity to catecholamines (such as adrenaline) by permissiveness.

The thyroid hormones are essential to proper development and differentiation of all cells of the human body.

These hormones also regulate protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism, affecting how human cells use energetic compounds.

Numerous physiological and pathological stimuli influence thyroid hormone synthesis.

The thyronamines function via some unknown mechanism to inhibit neuronal activity; this plays an important role in the hibernation cycles of mammals.

One effect of administering the thyronamines is a severe drop in body temperature.

For more information about the topic Thyroid hormone, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

Hormone — A hormone is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. All multicellular organisms produce hormones including plants. The ...  > read more

Hypothyroidism — Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for ...  > read more

Endocrine system — The endocrine system is a control system of ductless glands that secrete chemical messengers called hormones that circulate within the body via the ...  > read more

Hyperthyroidism — Hyperthyroidism (or "overactive thyroid gland") is the clinical syndrome caused by an excess of circulating free thyroxine (T4) or free ...  > read more

Editor's Note: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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