Definition

A white crystalline substance that affects the production of thyroid hormones and is used to treat conditions like hyperthyroidism.

Example

The doctor prescribed thiouracil to help manage her hyperthyroidism.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of thiouracil?

Yeah, isn’t it used to treat hyperthyroidism?

Exactly! It helps reduce the thyroid gland's activity.

That’s interesting! I didn’t know how it worked.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Thiouracil is formed from "thio-" (meaning sulfur) and "uracil" (a nitrogenous base found in RNA). The word refers to a compound that contains sulfur and is related to uracil, which is a component of RNA.

Memory Tip

Think of 'thio-' meaning sulfur, and 'uracil' as a part of RNA — thiouracil is a compound that includes sulfur and is connected to RNA.

Visually Confused Words