What is Thyroid?

About Thyroid:

• The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. 
• It’s a part of your endocrine system and controls many of your body’s important functions by producing and releasing thyroid hormones, like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
  • These hormones affect every cell in the body.
  • They support the rate at which the body uses fats and carbohydrates.
  • They help control body temperature.
  • They have an effect on heart rate.
  • They help control how much protein the body makes.

What is Thyroid Disease?

• It is a general term for a medical condition that keeps your thyroid from making the right amount of hormones.
• Thyroid disorders are very common and mainly occur in women, although anybody-men, teenagers, children, and babies, too, can be affected. 
• The two main types of thyroid disease are 
  • Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): Not enough thyroxine is produced for the body’s needs. This is the most common thyroid disorder.
  • Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid): Too much thyroxine is produced for the body’s needs.
• What causes a thyroid disorder?
  • There are many causes of the different thyroid disorders.
  • Most commonly the cause is due to autoimmune thyroid disease. This is a process in which the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid cells as though they were foreign cells.
  • In response, the thyroid gland becomes underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism).
  • The autoimmune form of hypothyroidism is called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The autoimmune form of hyperthyroidism is called Graves’ disease.
• Symptoms:
• • Hypothyroidism: tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain, poor concentration and depression.
  • Hyperthyroidism: weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, and, sometimes, sore and gritty eyes.
• Treatment: Thyroid disorder and many of its symptoms can be treated. Most thyroid disorders are treated with daily medication.