About the Thyroid

The thyroid gland and its two hormones play a vital role in the metabolism of your body. Understanding how the thyroid gland functions, along with knowing what may go wrong in those functions, is important to your well-being.

General Info

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck, anterior to the trachea (windpipe) and beneath the skin and muscles of the throat. The thyroid gland is part of your body's endocrine system, which means that the hormones produced by the thyroid gland are released into the bloodstream.

Function

The function of the thyroid gland and its hormones is to regulate your body's metabolism. Metabolism is the rate at which the cells of your body use energy. The thyroid is able to produce its two hormones, thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine, by utilizing the iodine that is you ingest. Iodine is found in small quantities in food sources--mainly iodized salt and sea salt.

Disorders

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland secretes too much of one or both of its hormones. This results in, among other things, a rate of cellular metabolism that is too fast.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland secretes too little of one or both of its hormones. The results of this lowered activity is that the rate of cellular metabolism is too slow.

Goiters are an enlargement of the thyroid gland, often noticeable as a swelling on the front portion of the neck, around the windpipe.

Thyroid cancer is "a fairly common malignancy," of which there are four major types. The majority of thyroid cancers have excellent prognoses for long-term survival rates.

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland.

Thyroid nodules are lumps that arise on the thyroid gland. 95% of these nodules are non-cancerous, and by the age of 50, most people have developed at least one.

Risk Factors

There are a number of factors which should be taken into account for the likelihood of yourr developing a thyroid gland disorder. These factors are: being female; stress; pregnancy; adenoma of the thyroid; Grave's disease; birth defect of the thyroid gland; pituitary gland disorders; viral infection of the thyroid gland; too much or too little iodine in your diet; and thyroid cancer.

Considerations

Diagnosing a problem with your thyroid is something that must be done by health care professionals. If your signs and symptoms warrant it, the physician will likely order lab tests, X-rays, or other diagnostic tests to determine if you have a thyroid disorder. As always, if you find a lump or thickening in the front of your throat or have unusual or persistent hoarseness, contact your health care provider.

Resources

• American Thyroid Association