What is "thyrotropin-releasing hormone"

n. hormone released by the hypothalamus that controls the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary [syn: TRH, thyrotropin-releasing factor, TRF, protirelin]

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), also called thyrotropin-releasing factor (TRF) or thyroliberin, is a releasing hormone, produced by the hypothalamus, that stimulates the release of thyrotropin ( thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH) and prolactin from the anterior pituitary. It is a tropic, tripeptidal hormone.

TRH has been used clinically for the treatment of spinocerebellar degeneration and disturbance of consciousness in humans. Its pharmaceutical form is called protirelin ( INN) .