Thyroid Hormone Secretion Decreases with Age

question 50

Essay

Thyroid hormone secretion decreases with age.Treatment with thyroid-releasing hormone is less effective in younger patients, while treatment with thyroid hormone is more effective in younger patients.
What name is given to the condition of decreased thyroid hormone secretion? What related hormones are likely to decrease as well? Propose an explanation for the loss of responsiveness to the releasing hormone.Propose an explanation for the increased responsiveness to treatment with thyroid hormone (consider both how hormones affect target cells and how hormone action is halted).

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Definitions:

Plasma Cells

Specialized white blood cells that produce large volumes of antibodies, which are critical for the immune response to infection.

B-cells

Immune cells that produce antibodies and are an essential part of the adaptive immune response.

Antibodies

Proteins generated by the immune system that recognize and bind to specific foreign particles, such as bacteria and viruses, to help protect the body against infections.

Secondary Response

The immune system's enhanced reaction to a previously encountered antigen, characterized by a more rapid and potent response.