Thyroid: A Gland In The Body
Resembling a bicycle, the thyroid gland can be found in the lower part of the neck. The thyroid gland provides energy to the cells in the body. The thyroid releases hormones known as triiodothyronine and thyroxine also referred to as the T3 and T4 hormones. The main function of the thyroid gland is to release hormones into the body.
The thyroid is important to a person’s body because it delivers oxygen to the bodies cells and is the basic center of a person’s metabolism. The thyroid gland is also involved in human development and growth.
The thyroid gland depends on iodine to synthesis the T3 and T4 hormones. The main thyroid stimulating hormone is called thyrotropin or better known as TSH. TSH regulates the synthesis and release of the T3 and T4 hormones. Synthesis and release of these hormones is based on the amount of iodine. The lack or overabundance of iodine can cause either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Surprisingly hypothyroidism is the main thyroid problem affecting people today. There are different forms of hypothyroidism. The most common is the primary hypothyroidism. Primary hypothyroidism occurs when the T4 levels are low and TSH levels are high. Central hypothyroidism occurs when both the T4 and TSH levels are low. The other form of hypothyroidism is called peripheral hypothyroidism and occurs when the levels of both T4 and TSH are increased.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the T4 levels are high and the TSH levels are low. The main cause of hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Graves Disease. Graves Disease generates antibodies that inhibit the TSH hormones or receptors in the thyroid causing stimulated synthesis. Another cause of hyperthyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s also generates antibodies that inhibit TSH hormones however instead of stimulating synthesis it inhibits synthesis.
Thyroid problems that can not be controlled through medications many times require surgery to remove part or the entire thyroid. Upon removing the thyroid a person is automatically sent into a state of hypothyroidism and must take a synthetic hormone supplement to stimulate the metabolic processes of the no longer present thyroid gland.
Thyroid nodules can also cause problems with the thyroid. Nodules are collections of cells that form a mass in the thyroid. Typically these nodules are benign but if they are present it is important to have them checked out. Many times nodules can mimic the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Believe it or not thyroid nodules are the most common endocrine related problem. There are different forms of nodules as with most disorders. The most common noncancerous types of nodules are colloid nodules and follicular neoplasm. When a nodule produces the thyroid hormones against what the body needs it is called autonomous nodules. A thyroid cyst occurs when a nodule is full of fluid or blood. There is little known as to what causes noncancerous nodules in the thyroid. There are other things such as Hashimoto thyroiditis and the lack of iodine which can cause nodules in the thyroid.
It is important to have your thyroid checked on a regular basis but also ask your doctor about checking the thyroid functions. The blood test to check the thyroid may not also discover problems with thyroid functioning. Even though the thyroid weighs approximately one ounce and is a small part of the body it is one of the very important features of the body’s endocrine system.
