Image via WikipediaWhat is Thyroid and is this important to my overall health
In vertebrate anatomy, the thyroid gland or simply, the thyroid, is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body, and is not to be confused with the parathyroid glands. The thyroid gland is found in the neck, inferior to (below) the thyroid cartilage (also known as the Adam's Apple) and at approximately the same level as thecricoid cartilage. The thyroid controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body should be to other hormones.
The thyroid gland participates in these processes by producing thyroid hormones, the principal ones being triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body. T3 and T4 are synthesized utilizing both iodine andtyrosine. The thyroid gland also produces calcitonin, which plays a role in calcium homeostasis.
The thyroid gland is controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary (to be specific, the anterior pituitary). The thyroid gland gets its name from the Greek word for "shield", after the shape of the related thyroid cartilage. The most common problems of the thyroid gland consist of an over-active thyroid gland, referred to as 'hyperthyroidism', and an under-active thyroid gland, referred to as 'hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in your body Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much of these vital body chemicals results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism.
Diseases of the thyroid gland can result in either production of too much (overactive thyroid disease or hyperthyroidism), too little (underactive thyroid disease orhypothyroidism) thyroid hormone,thyroid nodules, and/or goiter. All types of thyroid problems in women are much more common than thyroid problems in men.
A person with too little secretion of thyroid hormone, called hypothyroidism, has general symptoms of slowing down - coldness, sluggishness, dry skin and scanty hair growth. In more serious cases, there is a characteristic thickening of the skin, a condition called myxedema.
Sometimes a child is born without a thyroid gland. Recognizing and treating this defect early is extremely important to prevent serious problems with both physical and mental development.
Fortunately, deficient production of thyroid hormone in either a child or an adult can be simply and effectively treated by replacing the normal amounts of this chemical the body requires.
At the opposite extreme, the person with an overactive thyroid gland, calledhyperthyroidism, may have an increase in body metabolism, which results in weight loss in spite of an increased appetite, excessive warmth and sweating, noticeably trembling hands, pounding of the heart and, in some cases, bulging eyes. Along with these symptoms, the thyroid gland may swell. This swelling is called a goiter.
Medication is effective in slowing down an overactive thyroid. Because improvement may be only temporary, the physician may decide on more permanent measures, such as eradicating it with radioactive iodine or, less often, surgical removal of the overactive thyroid tissue.
My friend was diagnosed with thyroid disease and she would tell me how this effected her and how awful she would feel tired all the time and so sick and her weight would go up and down. But she was able to get everything in order by seeing her doctor regularly and taking her prescriptions. But at first before she was diagnosed with thyroid disease she was feeling so sick and tired and was just going out of her mind because it was over looked by several doctors, she didn't gain weight so they never thought of looking at her thyroid but after several visits they were able to give her the correct diagnose and actually save her life. If you feel that you might have this condition seek medical advice as soon as possible don't go undiagnosed.
Over 300 million people world wide experience problems with their thyroid, although over half are presumed to be unaware of their condition.
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