Extra-Thyroidal Factors Impacting Thyroid Hormone Homeostasis: A Review

Abstract

Thyroid hormones play an important role in determining metabolic function. Disruption in thyroid hormone homeostasis via under-functioning of the thyroid gland in hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder characterized by clinical symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, decreased memory, and dry skin. Regulating thermogenesis is one of the major tasks of thyroid hormone in adult humans. Body temperature homeostasis is under tight control and hypothermia can result when thyroid hormone expression is too low and hyperthermia can result when thyroid hormone expression is too high. Indeed, a recent study suggests that normalizing low body temperature be used as a therapeutic target in the treatment of obesity.