Endocrine

My Brother Calls Me ‘Bug Eyes”: A Case Study on the Endocrine System

Courtney Miniter

MGH Institute of Health Professions

A Case Study on the Endocrine System

1. The thyroid’s main job is to produce the thyroid hormone. Hormones are chemicals that are secreted by glands; which act like messengers telling specific body parts what to do (Marieb & Hoehn, 2013). The thyroid produces two major hormones: triidothyronine and thyroxine, commonly referred to as T3 and T4 (Marieb & Hoehn, 2013). Both of these hormones profoundly increase the metabolic rate of the body. Thyroid hormones have profound effects on many “big time” physiologic processes, such as development, growth and metabolism (“You and Your Hormones”, 2015). These hormones control the rate at which the body burns calories, can slow down or speed up your heartbeat (“You and Your Hormones”, 2015).  These hormones can raise or lower your body temperature, change how fast food moves through the digestive tract, affect muscle strength and control how quickly your body replaces dying cells (Goodson, 2011).

2.   An overactive thyroid is otherwise known has hyperthyroidism and is a disorder in which your thyroid gland makes and releases more thyroid hormone than your body needs (Marieb & Hoehn, 2013). Because Krista has an overactive thyroid it causes her body to make and release more thyroid hormone than her body needs.  These chemical messengers play a crucial role in controlling how her body uses energy, otherwise known has a process called metabolism. The pituitary gland and the thyroid gland work together (Goodson, 2011).

3. The pituitary gland makes, stores and releases thyoid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (Marieb & Hoehn, 2013). When TSH is secreted by the pituitary gland, it causes the thyroid gland to release more T3 and T4.  T3 and T4 will help control the body's metabolism (Goodson, 2011).

4. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), also known as thyrotropin, is produced...