Question

1. T3 is a thyroid hormone we learned about earlier this semester. Researchers and workers that overwinter in Antarctica are often subject to a disorder called Polar T3 Syndrome where they experience cognitive impairment and mood disturbances. (10)
   1. Why would researchers in Antarctica be subject to this syndrome and how does it relate to metabolism?
   2. What might be a potential way of treating the syndrome?

Answer 1

The researchers and workers in antarctica is more prone to the polar T3 syndrome .It occurs due to extreme low temperature which results into the hypobaric hypoxia. The Hypobaric hypoxia arises upon the decrease in the inspired partial pressure of the oxygen and the barometric presure.This condition increases the demand of the energy ATP in the cells, in order to achieve that lactate production increases. The increase in the blood lactate triggers the increase of the hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha of the glycolytic metabolism.Thus,increases the carbohydrate and fat metabolism and ofcourse the thyroid hormone secretion gets reduced .It also decreases the mitochondrial density in the skeleatal muscles.

The yoga practice which promote the voluntary muscle contraction at the low level of work ,has ability to generate the substantial amount of heat to deal in acute cold condition /polar T3 syndrome. The another way of treating polar T3 syndrome is to take injections for T3 hormones to maintain the normal level in order to balance the functioning the central nervous system.