Triiodothyronine

Class Thyroid hormone
Chemistry

Iodinated tyrosine derivative

Routes of administration

IV (but could still be given orally)

Absorption

97% oral bioavailability

Solubility

pKa=8.4; reluctantly soluble in water

Distribution

VOD = 1.8L/kg; less protein-bound than T4 (30 times less affinity for thyroxine-binding globulin)

Metabolism

Metabolised by deiodination, by tissue deiodinases

Elimination

Metabolites are further deiodinated into various inactive iodinated compounds. In overdose, some hepatic metabolism occurs, which results in enterohepatic recirculation

Time course of action

Half-life 6-10 hours

Target receptor

Thyroid hormone receptors, mainly nuclear receptors which act as transcription factors, tghough some are transmembrane and some are cytosolic

Mechanism of action

Endocytosis by a variety of transmembrane transporters, and which binds to nuclear transcription factors to perform a variety of functions. Some actions are probably also performed by cytoplasmic and transmembrane receptors, which mediate more acute effects

Clinical effects

Cardiovascular effects (acts as inodilator)
Neurological effects (psychiatric, cognitive, neurodevelopmental)
Renal effects (increased renal blood flow and improved renal clearance
Hepatic effects (increased rate of protein synthesis, increased hepatic metabolism of substances)
Gastrointestinal effects (increased gastrointestinal motility, increased appetite)
Metabolic effects (increased skeletal muscle protein synthesis, blood flow, contractility, xoygen consumption)
Increased shivering and nonshivering thermogenesis

Literature reference

X-gen pharmaceuticals PI document

CICM details of understanding Level 3
Mentioned around Deranged Physiology
Related SAQs