thyroid gland target cells or tissues
1 Lipid-soluble hormones (steroid hormones and hormones of the thyroid gland) diffuse through the cell membranes of target cells. 2  The lipid-soluble hormone then binds to a receptor protein that, in turn, activates a DNA segment that turns on specific genes.he thyroid hormone consists of two components, thyroxine and iodine. This hormone increases the metabolism of most body cells. A deficiency of iodine in the diet leads to the enlargement of the thyroid gland, known as a simple goiter.