A quantitative model of the human thyroid: development and observations

A qualitative dynamical model of a human thyroid is derived using known intrathyroidal processes and pathways. It includes iodide transports from plasma into the thyroid and from the cell to the colloid, thyroid-stimulating hormone signaling pathways, organisation, endocytosis, proteolysis, and hormone synthesis. Using mainly Michaelis-Menton kinetics, a quantitative model is derived at nominal values of internal concentrations. Simulations at different conditions demonstrate the ability of this model to predict several types of known thyroid behavior such as the Wolff-Chaikoff effect.