Homeostatic function of

thyroid and parathyroid

gland
Geeta Mohan
• The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ and is composed
of two cone-like lobes or wings, right lobe and left lobe,
connected by the isthmus. Each lobe is about 5 cm long, 3 cm
wide and 2 cm thick. The gland is situated on the anterior side
of the neck, lying against and around the larynx and trachea
producing thyroxine (T4) and tri - iodothyronine (T3).
• The thyroid also produces the hormone calcitonin, which
plays a role in calcium homeostasis.

• The parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands usually

four in number located at the back of the thyroid gland and
produces parathyroid hormone
 Thyroid gland - Function

• Thyroid hormone increase basal metabolic rate (BMR) by

stimulating cellular oxygen used to produce ATP.
• A major effect of thyroid hormone is to stimulate
synthesis of the enzyme that runs the Na+/ K+ ATPase
pump.
• As cells use more oxygen to produce ATP more heat is
given off and body temperature rises thus they play an
important role in thermoregulation
• Thyroid hormone helps in the regulation of metabolism –
stimulate protein synthesis, increase lipolysis, enhance
cholesterol excretion in bile and increase the use of
glucose for ATP production.
• Together with growth hormone and insulin thyroid
hormone accelerate body growth particularly nervous
tissue. They also enhance some actions of
neurotransmitters ex. catecholamine
Homeostasis

• Thyroid hormone secretion is controlled by

negative feedback mechanism involving both
hypothalamus and anterior pituitary with the
secretion of thyro trophin realizing hormone (TRH)
and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
• Calcitonin (CT) produced by para follicular cells
together with calcitriol produced by parathyroid
gland maintain homeostasis of calcium and
phosphate in the blood. It lowers the amount of
blood calcium and phosphates in the blood by
inhibiting bone breakdown and accelerating uptake
of calcium and phosphate salts by the bones. The
blood calcium levels directly controls the secretion
of CT , controlled by negative feedback mechanism
that does not involve pituitary gland
Homeostasis of thyroid hormone
Homeostasis

• The secretion of thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) and size of

the gland are controlled in two ways – 1) By the level of
iodine in the thyroid gland 2) By negative feedback
mechanism involving both the hypothalamus and
anterior pituitary.
• Although needed for synthesis of thyroid hormone , an
abnormally high concentration of thyroid iodine
suppresses release of thyroid hormone. Negative
feedback system govern synthesis and release of
thyroid hormone.
• Low levels of T3 &T4 stimulate the hypothalamus to
secrete Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and
anterior pituitary to secrete Thyroid stimulating
hormone (TSH) .TSH stimulates all aspects of thyroid
gland activity .The thyroid gland releases T3 &T4 until
the metabolic rate returns to normal.
• Conditions that increase ATP demand – a cold
environment, hypoglycemia, high altitude, pregnancy
also trigger an increased secretion of thyroid hormone.
 Homeostasis

PARATHYROD GLAND – are found attached to the posterior

surfaces of the thyroid gland. There is one superior and one
inferior gland attached to each lateral thyroid lobes.
Parathyroid glands have two types of cells –
1) Principal or Chief cells – that produce parathyroid
hormone (PTH)
2) Oxyphil cells – function not known.
PTH increases the number of activity of osteoclasts (bone
destroying cells) which results in enhanced breakdown of
bone matrix which releases calcium and phosphates into
the blood. PTH also produces two changes in the kidneys
1) It increases the rate at which kidneys remove calcium
and magnesium from urine that is being formed and returns
them to the blood
2) It inhibits transport of phosphates from urine to blood so
that more of it is excreted in urine.

Over all PTH decreases blood phosphate level and increases

blood calcium and magnesium levels .
ROLE OF THYROID AND PARATHYROID IN CALCIUM
HOMEOSTASIS

• Calcium balance refers to the state of the body’s stores

of calcium at equilibrium over some extended time
period (usually days, weeks or months). It results from
the net effects of intestinal absorption and renal,
intestinal and sweat gland excretion of bone calcium.
• Normal range of calcium is 9-11mg/100 ml blood. Bone
balance changes throughout the normal life span,
depending on relative rates of bone formation and
resorption.
• A negative feedback system involving two antagonistic
hormones - calcitonin and parathyroid hormone (PTH)
and maintenance of the concentration of calcium in
blood at normal range.
• 1 to 2 KG of calcium is present in human body, 98% of
this is present in the skeleton.
Homeostasis

High level of calcium in the blood will induce thyroid

gland(para follicular/ C cells)to release more
calcitonin. It lowers the amount of blood calcium
and phosphates by inhibiting bone break down and
accelerating uptake of calcium and phosphate salts
by bones.
The blood calcium levels directly control the
secretion of calcitonin through a negative feedback
mechanism that does not involve pituitary gland.
Homeostasis

• Low levels of calcium in blood will activate the

principal or chief cells of parathyroid gland to
release more parathyroid hormone (PTH).
PTH increase the number and activity of
osteoclasts (bone destroying cells) which results
in enhanced breakdown of bone matrix which
releases calcium and phosphates into blood
Homeostasis

• PTH also effects kidney to promote formation of

hormone calcitriol, which is active form of vitamin
D which increases the rate of calcium , phosphate
and magnesium absorption from gastro intestinal
tract into blood. When calcium level falls more PTH
and less calcitonin is released , conversely when
the blood calcium level rises less PTH and more
calcitonin is released through negative feedback
mechanism.
Normal daily intake of calcium in adults is 1gm -
1.5gm (1000mg-1500mg) . Calcium balance is
regulated if intake exceeds 1.5grams.
Calcium homeostasis
Calcium homeostasis
Homeostasis

• Wikipedia
• Principles of Anatomy and Physiology by Gerard J
Tortora and Sandra Reynolds Grabowski 7th edition