This gene encodes transthyretin, one of the three prealbumins including alpha-1-antitrypsin, transthyretin and orosomucoid. Transthyretin is a carrier protein; it transports thyroid hormones in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, and also transports retinol (vitamin A) in the plasma.
6 Surprising Signs You Need More Sleep. You know the classic signs: You're dragging at work, you're yawning all day, you're sluggish and you swear you can actually hear your bed calling your name. You need to sleep. On the days when a fourth cup of coffee is masking the most obvious signs, you might think you've won the battle. But don't kid yourself.
Within a 24-hour cycle, the average sleep need for children is 9 hours, for adolescents (13-24 years old) is 9.25 hours, and for adults is 8 hours. As people move into senior ages, their sleep needs reflect those of adolescents. On average, most people need 1 hour of sleep for every 2 hours that they have been awake. 2  However, most people are not physically able to be awake for 2 hours, sleep for 1 hour, and repeat this cycle continuously.