The thyroid gland sits low on the front of the neck and is butterfly-shaped. It is below the Adam’s apple, along the windpipe’s front. It has two side lobes, connected in the middle by a bridge.
The thyroid has many blood vessels and is brownish-red in color. The nerves that are vital for voice quality also pass through the thyroid.
It secretes various hormones, collectively known as thyroid hormones. The key hormone is thyroxine, which is also known as T4. The thyroid hormones act throughout the whole body and influence metabolism, body temperature, and growth and development.
Thyroid Conditions
- Goiter They can represent iodine deficiency or a condition known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which is associated with inflammation of the thyroid.
- Thyroiditis It is an inflammation of the thyroid, commonly from a viral infection or an autoimmune condition. Thyroiditis may have no symptoms sometimes and can cause pain.
- Hyperthyroidism It is a condition in which there is excessive production of thyroid hormone. It is most commonly due to an overactive thyroid nodule or Graves disease.
- Hypothyroidism It is a condition in which there is low production of thyroid hormone. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is thyroid damage due to autoimmune disease.
- Graves disease It is an autoimmune condition in which there is overstimulation of thyroid, resulting in hyperthyroidism.
- Thyroid cancer It is not a common cancer form. Surgery, radiation, and hormone treatments could be used to treat thyroid cancer.
- Thyroid nodule It is a small lump or abnormal mass in the thyroid gland. They are quite common and a few could be cancerous.
Thyroid Treatments
Some of the commonly available treatment options are:
- Antithyroid medications: Drugs may slow down the overproduction of thyroid hormone in hyperthyroidism.
- Radioactive iodine: Iodine with radioactivity that could be used in low doses to test the thyroid gland or break down an overactive gland.
- External radiation: A radiation beam is pointed at the thyroid and these high-energy rays help kill malignant thyroid cells.
- Thyroid hormone pills: It is a daily treatment that could replace the amount of thyroid hormone deficit. Thyroid hormone pills could treat hypothyroidism.
- Thyroid surgery: A surgeon may remove all or part of the thyroid in an operation. Thyroidectomy is usually performed for thyroid cancer, goiter, or hyperthyroidism.
Disclaimer: The information in no way constitutes, or should be construed as medical advice. Nor is the above article an endorsement of any research findings discussed in the article an endorsement for any of the source publications.
Sources-
- https://www.webmd.com/women/picture-of-the-thyroid#1
When the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormone, thyroxine, than the body needs, hyperthyroidism occurs.
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An underactive thyroid gland that does not produce enough thyroid hormone is a medical condition called Hypothyroidism. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland situated at the base of neck, and is responsible for synthesizing hormones that regulate metabolism. Lack of thyroid hormone production, hence, causes the body’s functions to slow down.
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