Thyroid

The Thyroid is a butterfly shaped organ (or gland) located in the front of the neck, just below the voice box [LARYNX!], rather surrounding it, in the upper part of the Trachea(Wind pipe) in your neck. Like the liver, heart, kidney, and brain, the thyroid has specific function and role to play. In a normal adult, the Thyroid normally weighs 15 to 25 grams. It is known that it starts functioning even before birth! Thyroid originates from endoderm of embryo.

It secretes 3 hormones:

• THYROXINE or TETRAIODOTHYRONINE (T4)
• TRIIODOTHYRONIN (T3)
• CALCITONIN (CT)

The thyroid hormones control various metabolic activities essential for energy, growth and development of the body. The thyroid must secrete them in required amount, greater or less amounts, than required, cause health complications to arise. The best way to keep oneself away from such disorders is the use of iodised salt in their diet!

Lack of iodine can cause thyroid disorder called, Iodine Deficiency Goitre.

T3 and T4 hormones are iodinated forms of the amino acid tyrosine. They maintain the Basal Metabolic Rate(BMR); promote growth of body tissues; and development of mental faculties. They control working of Kidneys and also promote tissue differentiation.

CT hormone regulates the concentration of Calcium and Phosphorus in blood. It is secreted when Calcium concentration rises in the blood. It then decreases the concentration of Calcium & phosphorus in the blood plasma by reducing their release from bones.

Graves disease and Myxoedema are caused by hypersecretion(more than required) and deficiency(less than required) release of Thyroid Hormones, respectively!

Source - My knowledge!

Thanks for reading!