Physiology · Endocrine Physiology (Pituitary, Thyroid, Adrenal, Pancreas)

Only about 20 percent of circulating triiodothyronine is secreted directly by the thyroid; the remainder arises peripherally. Which deiodinase isoform, expressed predominantly in liver and kidney, generates most of the circulating T3 pool?

  • A Type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase
  • B Type 1 iodothyronine deiodinase (outer ring)
  • C Type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase
  • D Type 4 iodothyronine deiodinase
Correct answer: B. Type 1 iodothyronine deiodinase (outer ring)

Explanation

Type 1 deiodinase in liver and kidney performs outer-ring deiodination of T4 to supply most of the circulating T3. Type 2 deiodinase generates T3 locally inside brain, brown fat, and pituitary cells rather than contributing to plasma, and type 3 catalyzes inner-ring deiodination to inactive reverse T3. Only three mammalian deiodinase isoforms exist, so option D names an entity that does not exist.

Reference: Williams Textbook of Endocrinology, 14th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.

Sponsored

Want to test yourself?

Create a free account for timed mock tests, mistake tracking, and FSRS spaced-repetition revision across 43,000+ MCQs.

Start free → Log in

More Endocrine Physiology (Pituitary, Thyroid, Adrenal, Pancreas) MCQs

See all Endocrine Physiology (Pituitary, Thyroid, Adrenal, Pancreas) MCQs →