Explain the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH):
TSH, also known as thyrotropin is a glycoprotein and synthesized by thyrotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland. Its functions are many and are listed as follows. The TSH:
- Stimulates the secretion of thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) from the thyroid gland
- Increases the number and size of thyroid cells, and
- Controls general metabolism of the body through its activity on thyroid.
The thyroid gland becomes inactive and secretes almost no hormone when the anterior pituitary gland fails to secrete TSH.