Thyroid

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck below our Adam’s apple that makes and secretes thyroid hormones. It is regulated by the pituitary gland, and is dependent on iodine intake from your diet. While the thyroid is a small gland, it has a big job: As part of our endocrine system, it produces hormones – triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) – that regulate our metabolism and other bodily functions that are vital for our development.

These functions include:

• Heart rate  • Breathing  • Central and peripheral nervous systems  • Body weight  • Muscle strength  • Menstrual cycles  • Body temperature  • Cholesterol levels

Here are few more facts you should know about your thyroid.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)​ blood tests are really accurate

The TSH test is a blood test that is used to screen for thyroid dysfunction. Even small changes in your thyroid hormone levels (T4 and T3) will cause very big changes in TSH secretion. If your thyroid is unable to make enough thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), your TSH will rise quickly and remain elevated. If your thyroid is making too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism), your TSH will drop to zero. Therefore, the most appropriate test to screen for thyroid dysfunction in the vast majority of cases is a TSH blood test.

Women are more likely than men to have thyroid issues

The most common thyroid condition is hypothyroidism. Some symptoms include fatigue, feeling cold, muscle weakness and unexplained weight gain.

Stress and other factors can worsen thyroid disorders

Rest is also important, and you should be getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night. This can be tricky if you have a thyroid disorder because it can impact sleep.

Thyroid disorders should be managed

Abnormal thyroid hormone levels can cause serious health effects, so managing your thyroid disorder is very important.