A complete pathway map of T4 and T3 metabolism and clearance

Biochemical pathway maps are an important aspect of medical education and medical problem-solving. They help us to view a network or series of chemical reactions in cells. In this article, I present a comprehensive science-based pathway map showing all the major pathways of both T4 and T3 hormone metabolism, also including their urinary clearance. I … Continue reading A complete pathway map of T4 and T3 metabolism and clearance

Meet deiodinase type 1 (D1): The philanthropist enzyme

In this educational post, I introduce our thyroid hormone conversion enzyme "deiodinase type 1" (D1) in the personality of "The philanthropist" as I draw on many scientific articles. Of course, D1 is a genderless enzyme. I am personifying "her" in the image of a human female in a social role to bring the unseen world … Continue reading Meet deiodinase type 1 (D1): The philanthropist enzyme

The 7 lessons of the thyroid hormone deiodinases

The recent post "Thyroid hormone journey: Metabolism" is an educational compendium of diagrams, tables and bullet lists that highlight key lessons from the past five decades of thyroid science. It's like a booklet in a blog post. The article concluded with summary of seven major lessons taught by the deiodinases. In this post, I use … Continue reading The 7 lessons of the thyroid hormone deiodinases

Thyroid hormone journey: Metabolism

As one follows the thyroid hormone journey through the human body, at a crucial stage inside many of our cells, a beautiful and complex cascade transforms our thyroid hormones. In this post, I use many visuals and analogies -- waterfall, professions, leaky buckets -- to help conceptualize for laypeople the science found in original research … Continue reading Thyroid hormone journey: Metabolism

Tissue RNA expression of DIO1, DIO2, and DIO3

No, this is not just an article for thyroid science buffs. Anyone who claims to understand thyroid hormone metabolism should become comfortable using the word "deiodinase." It's just as important a word for thyroid disease as "insulin" is for diabetes. Three enzymes convert thyroid hormones throughout our bodies: Deiodinase type 1, Deiodinase type 2, and … Continue reading Tissue RNA expression of DIO1, DIO2, and DIO3