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Pregnancy and the thyroid

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 October 2008

P Kendall-Taylor
P Kendall-Taylor*
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
*
P Kendall-Taylor, Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH
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Extract

The normal thyroid secretes thyroxine (T4) and, to a lesser extent, triiodothyronine (T3). The T4 is transported in the circulation to peripheral tissues largely bound to thyroxine binding globulin (TBG); T3, which is produced in peripheral tissues by deiodination of T4, also binds to TBG. It is, however, the free thyroid hormone concentration which determines the metabolic state, by its action on T3 nuclear receptors in the cells of kidney, heart, liver, anterior pituitary and other tissues.

Type
Articles
Information
Fetal and Maternal Medicine Review , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , May 1993 , pp. 89 - 103
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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