THYROID GLAND

 

It is an essential endocrine organ that manufactures and secretes hormones in order to regulate metabolism and energy use. It plays a very fundamental role in controlling different activities of the body by manufacturing and releasing specific hormones into the bloodstream. Major hormones released by the thyroid include thyroxine, T4, triiodothyronine, T3, reverse triiodothyronine, RT3, and calcitonin. These hormones control a great many functions within the body, among them being metabolism, heartbeat, breathing, digestion, body temperature, brain development, mental activity, maintenance of the skin and bones, and fertility.



Hypothyroidism is when a person has an underactive thyroid. It occurs when the thyroid produces and releases too little hormone; therefore, some metabolic processes start to slow down. This can be caused by Hashimoto's disease, thyroiditis, iodine deficiency, a nonfunctioning thyroid gland, overtreatment of hyperthyroidism due to medication, or even removal of the thyroid. 

Goiters (simple goitres, endemic goitres, and sporadic goitres) result from an inability of the thyroid gland to secrete enough hormones for proper functioning. Endemic goiters occur in those cases where there is an insufficiency of iodine supply in food. Sporadic goiters have no known cause and may be due to certain medications like lithium.




On the other hand, (hyperthyroidism) overactive thyroid occurs when the thyroid produces and secretes too much of the thyroid hormones, speeding up certain metabolic processes. Hyperthyroidism affects about one in every hundred people of age twelve years and above in the United States and is treatable.



Thyroid cancer

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