| The thyroid gland is among the largest endocrine | | | | a gas pedal in the body. An over active thyroid will |
| glands present in the body. It is important to take care | | | | cause the systems in the body to run too fast and too |
| of your thyroid health as it is responsible for a few | | | | hot. Where as an under active thyroid will cause the |
| important functions that the body depends upon. | | | | systems in the body to run too cold and too slow. |
| It is a butterfly shaped organ and is located at the | | | | When both body temperature and thyroid is low in the |
| inferior of the neck, below the voice box. It is also | | | | body the results can be devastating. This is because |
| called as the Adam's apple in men. The thyroid gland | | | | whenever there is a drop in the body temperature by |
| plays an important role and has specific functions to | | | | one degree the metabolic rate too decreases by |
| carry out. Therefore it is very important that you take | | | | almost 6%. It is common for people to have a few |
| good care of your thyroid health. The thyroid gland | | | | degrees less temperature than normal. But this in turn |
| controls the amount of energy that the body burns. It | | | | affects the metabolic rate and the people feel tired |
| creates protein and decides the sensitivity of the body | | | | and depressed. |
| to other hormones. It is able to carry out these | | | | Hyperthyroidism |
| functions with the help of thyroid hormones. There are | | | | This condition is exactly opposite to hypothyroidism. In |
| two types of thyroid hormones thyroxin or T4 and | | | | this situation there is an excess secretion of thyroid |
| triiodothyronine or T3. These hormones are control the | | | | hormones. This causes the systems of the body to |
| rate if metabolism and in turn it affects the growth rate | | | | run too fast and too hot. The metabolism rate of the |
| and functions of other systems present in the body. | | | | body increases. Metabolism is a chemical and physical |
| Iodine is a important component of both the hormones. | | | | process that generates energy that is needed for the |
| The thyroid gland is controlled by two gland the | | | | cells in the body to grow, function well and divide. The |
| hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The gland is called so | | | | symptoms of hyperthyroidism include rapid heart beat, |
| because of its shape. The term originates from the | | | | weight loss, heat intolerance and trembling of hands |
| Greeks which means shield. | | | | and fingers. The body temperature plays an important |
| Thyroid diseases | | | | role in the function of thyroid hormones. The body |
| There are two types of thyroid disorders. These two | | | | works best at the normal body temperature. |
| are called hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. | | | | Fluctuation in the body temperature causes |
| Hypothyroidism | | | | disturbances in the working of systems in the body. |
| Hypothyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland | | | | It is important to care for your thyroid health. You must |
| produces less thyroid hormone than the required | | | | have a thyroid check up and follow simple measures |
| standard. This is the most common condition out of the | | | | that will help you to have a healthy thyroid gland. Iodine |
| two thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism results when the | | | | is the most important component needed by the |
| immune system produces antibodies that destroy the | | | | thyroid hormones. Ensure that you include iodine in your |
| thyroid hormones. This results in the reduction of | | | | diet or simply use iodized salt for your food |
| thyroid hormones in the body. The less content of | | | | preparations. |
| hormones triggers hypothyroidism. The thyroid acts like | | | | |