What hormone stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine?

The hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine is thyrotropin, also known as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This hormone is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and plays a critical role in regulating the function of the thyroid gland. When thyrotropin is released into the bloodstream, it binds to specific receptors on the thyroid gland, initiating a series of biochemical reactions that lead to the synthesis and secretion of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), the primary hormones produced by the thyroid. These hormones are essential for metabolic regulation, growth, and development.

In contrast, other hormones, such as luteinizing hormone, corticotropin, and follicle-stimulating hormone, have different physiological roles in the body. Luteinizing hormone is primarily involved in regulating reproductive functions, while corticotropin stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol. Follicle-stimulating hormone plays a key role in reproductive processes as well, particularly in the development of ovarian follicles in females and sperm production in males. Therefore, their functions do not pertain to thyroid hormone production.