Which hormone is responsible for stimulating the thyroid to produce hormones?

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is the hormone that specifically stimulates the thyroid gland to produce its hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and plays a crucial role in the regulation of metabolism by controlling the release of these thyroid hormones. When levels of T4 and T3 in the bloodstream are low, TSH is released to stimulate the thyroid to increase hormone production, thus maintaining hormonal balance within the body.

This is a key aspect of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, where the hypothalamus secretes thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) that prompts the pituitary to release TSH. The presence of TSH is essential for normal thyroid function and the overall metabolic processes in the body.