Despite its small size, the thyroid gland is hugely important for both our physical and mental well-being. Here you can learn about the function of the thyroid as well as common and rare thyroid disorders.
Did you know, iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones?
The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and produces thyroid hormones which are important for metabolic health. It is butterfly-shaped and consists of two lobes located either side of the windpipe.
Normally the thyroid gland produces the exact number of hormones needed to keep your body’s metabolism running and in balance. Sometimes things can go wrong resulting in thyroid disorders with most problems concerning the production of thyroid hormones.
In this section, you will find articles and podcast episodes about the function and disorders of the thyroid gland.
Do you ever feel tired and sluggish, and find yourself putting on a few pounds? Or perhaps you’re anxious, irritable, and no matter how much you eat, you're just not gaining weight? Does Dr Google think your thyroid is to blame for all your woes?
Tertiary hyperparathyroidism means excess production of parathyroid hormone that has escaped all normal body feedback controls and so persists even in cases where the initial cause (low blood calcium) has been corrected.
Thyroid cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the thyroid gland which may spread to areas around the thyroid and to other parts of the body. Thyroid cancer can affect people of all ages. Most patients are cured by the treatments now available.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is produced by the pituitary gland. Its role is to regulate (by stimulating) the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland.
A toxic thyroid nodule refers to a single nodule in the thyroid gland that releases excessive thyroid hormones. The excess thyroid hormone production is termed ‘hyperthyroidism’ and can causes symptoms of thyrotoxicosis (i.e. due to excess thyroid hormones).
