All the important pharmacological interactions affecting thyroid function are described in this book. The first section is devoted to the physiology and biochemistry of thyroid disease, putting the pharmacological interactions into perspective. The second section reviews all the important pharmacological effects on thyroid function and also deals with the impact of other environmental agents. The chapters are written by internationally recognised experts and extensively referenced to provide an up-to-date review of the pharmacological interactions important to the thyroid and its diseases.

1 Introduction: Clinical Aspects of Thyroid Treatment

A. Introduction
B. Choices of Treatment for the Hyperthyroidism of Graves' Disease
C. Subclinical Hyperthyroidism
D. Correct Dose of Thyroxine in Primary Hypothyroidism
E. Subclinical Hypothyroidism: Treatment or Not?
References
2 Control of TRH and TSH Secretion
A. Introduction
B. Negative Feedback Action of Thyroid Hormones
C. Structure and Actions of TRH
D. Structure and Actions of Somatostatin
E. Actions of Neurotransmitters
F. Actions of Cytokines and Inflammatory Mediators
G. Physiological and Secondary TSH Changes
References
3 The TSH Receptor
A. Introduction
B. TSH Receptor Cloning
C. Structure of the TSHR in the Human Thyroid Gland
D. Structure of the TSHR in Transfected Cells
E. Controversies on Receptor Structure
F. Expression of the TSH Receptor in the Baculovirus System
G. Shedding of TSH Receptor Ectodomain in Thyroid and Transfected Cells
H. Cellular Expression of the TSH Receptor
I. Intracellular Trafficking of the Receptor
J. Structure-Function Relationships
K. Gene Structure and Regulation
L. The TSH Receptor and Pathology
M. Conclusions
References
4 Thyroid Hormone Synthesis, Plasma Membrane Transport and Metabolism
A. Thyroid Hormone Synthesis
B. Thyroid Hormone Plasma Membrane Transport
C. Thyroid Hormone Metabolism
D. Deiodination
E. Characterization of Iodothyronine Deiodinases
F. Sulphation
G. Glucuronidation
References
5 Thyroid Hormone Transport
A. Introduction
B. Serum Bingding in Humans
C. Binding Kinetics
D. Free Hormone Measurement
E. Interactions with Competitors
References
6 Molecular Biology of Thyroid Hormone Action
A. Introduction
B. Extranuclear Mechanisms of Thyroid Hormone Action.-C. Identification of High-Affinity Nuclear-Binding Sites for Thyroid Hormones
D. Cloning of cDNAs Encoding Nuclear Receptors for T3
E. Recognition of Two Genes Encoding Two Major Classes of TR
F. Thyroid Hormone Response Elements
G. Structural Characteristics of TRs and Identification of Functional Domains
H. Role of the TR Splice Variant TR?2
References
7 Iodine: Metabolism and Pharmacology
A. Introduction
B. Iodide Transport and Organification
C. Thyroid Autoregulation
References
8 Antithyroid Drugs: Their Mechanism of Action and Clinical Use
A. Introduction
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Pharmacokinetics
D. Mechanism of Action
E. Clinical Use
F. Conclusions
References
9 Effect of Lithium on the Thyroid Gland
A. Introduction
B. Effect on Thyroid Physiology
C. Effect on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
D. Lithium and Cell Function
E Immunological Effects on Thyroid Function
F. Effect on Thyroid Hormone Action
G. Clinical Effects on the Thyroid
H. Clinical Use in Thyroid Disease
References
10 Amiodarone and the Thyroid
A. Pharmacology of Amiodarone
B. Effects of Amiodarone on Thyroid Hormone Secretion and Metabolism
C. Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis and Amiodarone-Induced Hypothyroidism
D. Amiodarone as a Thyroid Hormone Antagonist
References
11 Effects of Other Pharmacological Agents on Thyroid Function
A. Introduction
B. Effects of Various Drugs on Thyroidal Hormonogenesis
C. Effects of Drugs on Thyroid Hormone Metabolism
D. Drug Effects on Cellular and Intestinal Uptake of Thyroid Hormone
References
12 Effects of Environmental Agents on Thyroid Function
A. Introduction
B. Chemical Categories, Sources, Pharmacokinetics, and Mechanism of Action
References
13 Thyroid HormoneAntagonism
A. Introduction
B Inhibition of Uptake
C. Cytoplasmic Binding
D. Antagonism at the Receptor Level
References
14 Immunomodulatory Agents in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
A. Introduction
B. Hormones and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
C. Toxins and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
D. Trace Elements and Autoimmune Thyroiditis
E. Drugs and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
F. Cytokines and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
G. Immunomodulatory Agents in TAO
References.