Thyroid hormones (THs) are key hormones that regulate development and metabolism in mammals. In man, the major target tissues for TH action are the brain, liver, muscle, heart, and adipose tissue. Defects in TH synthesis, transport, metabolism, and nuclear action have been associated with genetic and endocrine diseases in man. Over the past few years, there has been renewed interest in TH action and the therapeutic potential of THs and thyromimetics to treat several metabolic disorders such as hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidaemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and TH transporter defects. Recent advances in the development of tissue and TH receptor isoform-targeted thyromimetics have kindled new hope for translating our fundamental understanding of TH action into an effective therapy. This review provides a concise overview of the historical development of our understanding of TH action, its physiological and pathophysiological effects on metabolism, and future therapeutic applications to treat metabolic dysfunction.

甲状腺激素（TH）是调节哺乳动物发育和新陈代谢的关键激素。在人类中，TH 作用的主要靶组织是大脑、肝脏、肌肉、心脏和脂肪组织。 TH 合成、运输、代谢和核作用的缺陷与人类遗传和内分泌疾病有关。在过去的几年中，人们对 TH 的作用以及 TH 和拟甲状腺药物治疗多种代谢性疾病（如高胆固醇血症、血脂异常、非酒精性脂肪肝病 (NAFLD) 和 TH 转运蛋白缺陷）的治疗潜力重新产生了兴趣。组织和 TH 受体亚型靶向拟甲状腺药物的最新进展为将我们对 TH 作用的基本理解转化为有效的治疗带来了新的希望。这篇综述简要概述了我们对 TH 作用的理解的历史发展、其对代谢的生理和病理生理作用以及治疗代谢功能障碍的未来治疗应用。