2023-05-25 17:00:18
Surely you have heard of the thyroid. But if you don’t really know what it is and what are the functions it performs in your body, then we are going to explain everything in detail about this gland, which is so important in humans, since today is its World Day.
What is the thyroid?
The thyroid can be defined as a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. This gland produces the hormones that control the way the body uses energy and are hormones that affect almost every organ in the body and control many of the most important functions such as: digestion, weight, mood, heart rate, and breathing. , For example.
Functions of this gland
The main function of the thyroid gland is to produce, store and release thyroid hormones, which are known as T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), whose basic compound is thyroxine. They are hormones that are involved in the development of the nervous system and regulate metabolism (speed at which the body burns calories for energy). So it can be said that these hormones are in charge of these functions in the body:
- Intervene in the synthesis of glycogen and the use of glucose.
- Control heart rate and cholesterol concentration.
- Maintain body temperature.
- Form vitamin A.
- Have a gastrointestinal role of memory and muscle strength.
Main diseases caused by the thyroid
Thyroid diseases cause either too many or too few hormones to be produced. Among the different diseases it causes, are the following:
- Hyperthyroidism: The gland makes more thyroid hormone than the body needs.
- Hypothyroidism: Otherwise, the gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.
- Goiter: It is an enlargement of the thyroid.
- Thyroiditis: consists of a swelling of the gland.
- Nodules: appearance of lumps in the thyroid.
- Thyroid cancer.
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