What Is the Thyroid's Function?

Ever wonder what your thyroid does for you? It actually does quite a bit for your health, and though it might seem like a tiny insignificant gland, it is essential in the regulation of your body. It can affect many parts of your health from your weight to your heart, and even what kind of mood you are in, so learning about its function and how to keep it healthy can play an important role in your body's overall health.

Makeup and Location

The thyroid is a complex endocrine gland located in the neck and wrapped around your trachea. In men it is below the Adam's apple, or the larynx in women. It is composed of two halves, or lobes, that are connected by a tissue called the isthmus.

Function

The thyroid has many complex functions, the most important being metabolism control. It does this by converting iodine in foods into thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These two thyroid hormones are released and carried throughout your body to control and regulate metabolism for your entire body. The thyroid is also responsible for producing calcitonin, which plays a role in adding calcium to your bones, thus having a larger role in your growth.

A Complex Hierarchy

The thyroid is controlled by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. When there is a low amount of thyroid hormones a chain reaction begins, starting with the hypothalamus, located in the brain. The hypothalamus starts the process by producing a hormone that tells the pituitary gland to stimulate the thyroid. When this hormone is sent to the pituitary gland, the pituitary then releases thyroid-stimulating hormones that go to the thyroid to tell it to produce its thyroid hormones. The hypothalamus is kind of like the boss, which sends orders to management (the pituitary), which then carries these orders to the employee (the thyroid).

Problems With Thyroid Function

There are two common problems that can occur with your thyroid, and knowing what they are and their effects can help aid you in maintaining proper thyroid function and health.
The first is hyperthyroidism, which is when a thyroid is producing too many thyroid hormones for the body's tissues. As a result, metabolism is higher, which can cause a number of symptoms. Some people afflicted with hyperthyroidism will lose weight because of the higher metabolism, and oddly enough others can gain weight because of increased appetite due to higher metabolism. Other signs of hyperthyroidism are being overly hot, insomnia, irritability and palpitations. There are many forms of treatment, including drugs and surgery.
Hypothyroidism is the opposite of hyperthyroidism; it is when the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones to serve the body. As a result, people afflicted with hypothyroidism have lower metabolism. Common symptoms are weight gain, fatigue, depression and abnormal menstruation. Usually hypothyroidism can be treated with a daily pill, however, in some cases additional treatments like surgery are required.

Keeping Your Thyroid Healthy

There are a few things you can do to help maintain a healthy thyroid. The first is simply eating healthy. Excess sugar and high saturated fats can hinder the thyroid's function, so try to avoid these or keep them at a minimal level in your diet. Also make sure you are getting plenty of nutrients such as iodine, riboflavin, zinc and iron, which are important nutrients that can aid in thyroid health. Many health stores offer supplements designed specifically for thyroid health, so if thyroid problems run in your family or you just want to be safe, you can purchase one of these supplements to ensure you are doing the best for your thyroid. Also stay active; the more active you are the healthier your weight. Studies have shown that being overweight can cause thyroid problems as well, so a healthy dose of exercise, along with a balanced diet, can do wonders for your thyroid.