Thyroid Gland

Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Gland
 The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ
located in the base of your neck.
 It releases hormones that control metabolism.

Metabolism is a process where the food you take
into your body is transformed into energy.
 The thyroid has two sides called lobes.
 The thyroid gland is about 2-inches long and lies in

front of your throat below the prominence of
thyroid cartilage sometimes called the Adam's
apple.
How the Thyroid Gland Works?
 The thyroid is part of the endocrine system, which is
made up of glands that produce, store, and release
hormones into the bloodstream so the hormones can
reach the body's cells.
 The thyroid controls your metabolism with a few

specific hormones — T4 (thyroxine, contains four
iodide atoms) and T3 (triiodothyronine, contains
three iodide atoms).
 These two hormones are created by the thyroid and

they tell the body’s cells how much energy to use.
 When your thyroid works properly, it will maintain

the right amount of hormones to keep your
metabolism working at the right rate.
How the Thyroid Gland Works?
• The thyroid gland uses iodine from the foods you eat to make two main hormones:
o Triiodothyronine (T3)
o Thyroxine (T4)
• It is important that T3 and T4 levels are neither too high nor too low. Two glands in the brain
—the hypothalamus and the pituitary communicate to maintain T3 and T4 balance.
• When your thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can impact your entire body.
• If your body makes too much thyroid hormone, you can develop a condition called
hyperthyroidism.
• If your body makes too little thyroid hormone, it’s called hypothyroidism.
How the Thyroid Gland Works
• The hypothalamus produces TSH Releasing Hormone (TRH) that signals the pituitary to
tell the thyroid gland to produce more or less of T3 and T4 by either increasing or
decreasing the release of a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Hypothalamus TRH  Pituitary  TSH  Thyroid Gland  T3 and T4
• When T3 and T4 levels are low in the blood, the pituitary gland releases more TSH to tell
the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones.
• If T3 and T4 levels are high, the pituitary gland releases less TSH to the thyroid gland to
slow production of these hormones.
Functions Of Thyroid's Hormones
The thyroid's hormones regulate vital
body functions, including:
 Breathing
 Heart rate
 Central and peripheral nervous
systems
 Body weight
 Muscle strength
 Menstrual cycles
 Body temperature
 Cholesterol levels
Why You Need a Thyroid Gland
• T3 and T4 travel in your bloodstream to reach almost every cell in the

body. The hormones regulate the speed with which the
cells/metabolism work.
For example:-
T3 and T4 regulate your heart rate and how fast your intestines process
food.
So if T3 and T4 levels are low, your heart rate may be slower than normal,
and you may have constipation/weight gain.
If T3 and T4 levels are high, you may have a rapid heart rate and
diarrhea/weight loss.
What is thyroid disease?
• Thyroid disease is a general term for a medical condition that keeps your thyroid
from making the right amount of hormones.
• When the thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone, your body uses energy too
quickly. This is called hyperthyroidism.
• Using energy too quickly will do more than make you tired — it can make your heart
beat faster, cause you to lose weight without trying and even make you feel nervous.
• On the flip-side of this, your thyroid can make too little thyroid hormone. This is
called hypothyroidism. When you have too little thyroid hormone in your body, it
can make you feel tired, you might gain weight and you may even be unable to
tolerate cold temperatures.
Who is affected by thyroid disease?
• Thyroid disease can affect anyone — men, women, infants,

teenagers and the elderly.
• It can be present at birth (typically hypothyroidism) and it can

develop as you age (often after menopause in women).
• Thyroid disease is very common, with an estimated 20 million

people in the Unites States having some type of thyroid disorder.
A woman is about five to eight times more likely to be diagnosed
with a thyroid condition than a man.
Risk of developing a thyroid disease
You may be at a higher risk of developing a thyroid disease if you:
• Have a family history of thyroid disease.
• Have a medical condition (these can include pernicious anemia, type 1 diabetes, primary
adrenal insufficiency, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome and Turner syndrome).
• Take a medication that’s high in iodine (amiodarone).
• Are older than 60, especially in women.
• Have had treatment for a past thyroid condition or cancer (thyroidectomy or radiation).
Conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism include:
Graves’ disease: In this condition the entire thyroid
gland might be overactive and produce too much
hormone. This problem is also called diffuse toxic
goiter (enlarged thyroid gland).
Thyroiditis: This disorder can be either painful or

not felt at all. In thyroiditis, the thyroid releases
hormones that were stored there. This can last for a
few weeks or months.
Excessive iodine: When you have too much iodine

(the mineral that is used to make thyroid hormones)
in your body, the thyroid makes more thyroid
hormones than it needs. Excessive iodine can be
found in some medications (amiodarone, a heart
medication) and cough syrups.
Conditions that can cause hypothyroidism
Thyroiditis: This condition is an

inflammation (swelling) of the thyroid
gland. Thyroiditis can lower the amount
of hormones your thyroid produces.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: A painless

disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an
autoimmune condition where the
body’s cells attack and damage the
thyroid. This is an inherited condition.
Conditions that can cause hypothyroidism
Postpartum thyroiditis: This

condition occurs in 5% to 9% of
women after childbirth. It’s usually a
temporary condition.
Iodine deficiency: Iodine is used by

the thyroid to produce hormones. An
iodine deficiency is an issue that
affects several million people around
the world.
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
 Experiencing anxiety, irritability and

nervousness.
 Having trouble sleeping.
 Losing weight.
 Having an enlarged thyroid gland or a goiter.
 Having muscle weakness and tremors.
 Experiencing irregular menstrual periods or
having your menstrual cycle stop.
 Feeling sensitive to heat.
 Having vision problems or eye irritation
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
 Feeling tired (fatigue).

 Gaining weight.
 Experiencing forgetfulness.
 Having frequent and heavy menstrual
periods.
 Having dry and coarse hair.
 Having a hoarse voice.
 Experiencing an intolerance to cold
temperatures.
How is thyroid disease diagnosed?
Blood Tests: One of the most definitive ways to diagnose

a thyroid problem is through blood tests.
Thyroid blood tests are used to tell if your thyroid gland is
functioning properly by measuring the amount of thyroid
hormones in your blood.
Imaging tests: Thyroid scan: This allows your provider to

look at your thyroid to check for an increased size, shape
or growths. Your provider could also use an imaging test
called an ultrasound.
Physical Exam: This is a very simple and painless test

where your provider feels your neck for any growths or
enlargement of the thyroid.
How is thyroid disease treated?
If you have high levels of thyroid hormones

(hyperthyroidism), treatment options can include:
 Anti-thyroid drugs: These are medications that

stop your thyroid from making hormones.
 Radioactive iodine: This treatment damages the

cells of your thyroid, preventing it from making
high levels of thyroid hormones.
 Surgery: A more permanent form of treatment,

your healthcare provider may surgically remove
your thyroid (thyroidectomy). This will stop it from
creating hormones. However, you will need to take
thyroid replacement hormones for the rest of your
life.
How is thyroid disease treated?
If you have low levels of thyroid hormones

(hypothyroidism), the main treatment
option is:
 Thyroid replacement medication: This

drug is a synthetic (man-made) way to
add thyroid hormones back into your
body. One drug that’s commonly used is
called levothyroxine. By using a
medication, you can control thyroid
disease and live a normal life.
THANK you

Thyroid Gland

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Thyroid Gland

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Thyroid Gland

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Thyroid Gland

 It releases hormones that control metabolism.

 The thyroid has two sides called lobes.

 The thyroid gland is about 2-inches long and lies in

 The thyroid controls your metabolism with a few

 These two hormones are created by the thyroid and

 When your thyroid works properly, it will maintain

Hypothalamus TRH  Pituitary  TSH  Thyroid Gland  T3 and T4

• T3 and T4 travel in your bloodstream to reach almost every cell in the

• Thyroid disease can affect anyone — men, women, infants,

• It can be present at birth (typically hypothyroidism) and it can

• Thyroid disease is very common, with an estimated 20 million

You may be at a higher risk of developing a thyroid disease if you:

• Have a family history of thyroid disease.

• Take a medication that’s high in iodine (amiodarone).

• Are older than 60, especially in women.

Thyroiditis: This disorder can be either painful or

Excessive iodine: When you have too much iodine

Thyroiditis: This condition is an

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: A painless

Postpartum thyroiditis: This

Iodine deficiency: Iodine is used by

 Experiencing anxiety, irritability and

 Feeling tired (fatigue).

Blood Tests: One of the most definitive ways to diagnose

Imaging tests: Thyroid scan: This allows your provider to

Physical Exam: This is a very simple and painless test

If you have high levels of thyroid hormones

 Anti-thyroid drugs: These are medications that

 Radioactive iodine: This treatment damages the

 Surgery: A more permanent form of treatment,

If you have low levels of thyroid hormones

 Thyroid replacement medication: This

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.