WHAT IS THE THYROID GLAND & WHAT DOES IT DO?

The thyroid gland is a soft, butterfly-shaped organ that wraps around the windpipe. Its primary function is to secrete thyroid hormones, which help regulate metabolism and various other bodily functions, such as energy production, temperature regulation, and assisting other organs in their functions.

The thyroid gland produces two essential hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are released into the network of tiny blood vessels that run through the gland.

T3 and T4 differ mainly in the number of iodine atoms they contain. T3 is the more potent hormone, while T4 is released by the thyroid in larger quantities but is mostly converted to T3 in the liver and kidneys.

The effects of T3 and T4 include:

• Increasing the basal metabolic rate of almost all cells in the body
• Enhancing fat and carbohydrate metabolism
• Boosting protein synthesis
• Raising heart rate and blood flow to other organs

Thyroid hormones are also crucial for the normal development of organs such as the heart and brain in children, as well as for normal reproductive functioning.