Thyroid Hormones Regulate the Thermoregulatory Mechanisms of the Body: Review

Thyroid hormones (TH) play a critical role in metabolism, energy balance and thermogenesis. The mechanisms whereby thyroid hormone increases heat production have been analyzed with emphasis in more recent developments. Thyroid hormone increases obligatory thermogenesis as a result of the stimulation of numerous metabolic pathways involved in the development, remodeling and delivery of energy to the tissues. In this section, alterations in primary hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism will be contrasted with the physiological characteristics of TH-dependent regulation in response to fasting and exposure to cold. The current review will discuss the situation with regard to regional thyroid hormones in the Central Nervous System (CNS) and more specifically, in peripheral cells. When caused by exposure to cold or fasting, local anomalies in the CNS are distinct from peripheral compartments, in contrast to hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, which differ when similar changes are observed. Lower hypothalamic TH concentrations are associated with cold exposure, although higher peripheral TH levels. The TH tendency is reversed by fasting. Primary hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism impair them. The current study aims to trace the various mechanisms used by the thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy production process.