The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped organ in the front part of the lower neck.  The thyroid has two lobes, connected by a center section called the isthmus (see below):


    One of the main functions of the thyroid is the control of the metabolism rate - the rate at which cells burn fuel to produce energy.  Thus, metabolism controls body temperature and weight.  The thyroid uses an amino acid called tyrosine to make two of the hormones it uses to control metabolism.  The thyroid combines tyrosine with iodine to make thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃).  In order for the thyroid to function properly and make T₃ and T₄, the body must have an adequate dietary intake of iodine.  A condition called goiter results when there is no enough iodine or too much iodine. 

    The thyroid hormones thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃) are used by every cell in the body to control metabolism.  A healthy thyroid makes 80% T₄ and 20% T₃.  Even though there is less T₃ made, it has about the same potency since its hormonal strength is about four times that of T₄.  As mentioned previously, the amount of T₃ and T₄ made is controlled via TSH from the pituitary gland using a feedback loop as shown below.  Hyperthyroidism occurs when there is too much T₃ and T₄ produced, and hypothyroidism occurs when there is not enough T₃ and T₄ produced.


    Besides T₃ and T₄, the thyroid also controls calcitonin, which regulates the amount of calcium in the blood which is stored in the bones.  The parathyroid controls the amount of calcium removed from the bones.
 

There are many natural treatments for helping Thyroid disorders, including many from CogniTune.

This page was last updated on August 19, 2018.                                                                                                                                                         visitors since February 25, 2012.  Visitor Counter.