Question

2) You are taking a drug that increases the affinity of hormone X for its transporter. How might this drug impact the effectiveness of hormone X and why?

3) Sheila has recent undiagnosed hyperthyroidism, meaning that her thyroid hormone levels are chronically high. How might her body react to this recent increase in hormone concentration?

Answer 1

1. A drug that increases the affinity of hormone X for its transporter would increase the amount of hormone X that is taken up and stored in cells. This would reduce the amount of free hormone X in the blood, which would reduce the hormone's effectiveness in binding to and activating its target receptors. In other words, the drug would reduce the concentration of active hormone X in the blood and the tissues, leading to a reduced response.
2. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, leading to high levels of the hormone in the blood. The excess thyroid hormone can cause a range of symptoms and side effects, including weight loss, tremors, anxiety, sweating, palpitations, and increased metabolism. The body may react to this increase in hormone concentration by trying to reduce the amount of hormone being produced. This may involve negative feedback mechanisms that inhibit the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland, which in turn reduces the amount of thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Over time, this negative feedback loop may help to restore the body's thyroid hormone levels to normal.