Beware of Thyroid Diseases So That Your Thyroid Health is at Its Best
By Ryan English
The thyroid gland is among the largest endocrine glands present in the body. It is important to take care of your thyroid health as it is responsible for a few important functions that the body depends upon.
It is a butterfly shaped organ and is located at the inferior of the neck, below the voice box. It is also called as the Adam’s apple in men. The thyroid gland plays an important role and has specific functions to carry out. Therefore it is very important that you take good care of your thyroid health. The thyroid gland controls the amount of energy that the body burns. It creates protein and decides the sensitivity of the body to other hormones. It is able to carry out these functions with the help of thyroid hormones. There are two types of thyroid hormones thyroxin or T4 and triiodothyronine or T3. These hormones are control the rate if metabolism and in turn it affects the growth rate and functions of other systems present in the body. Iodine is a important component of both the hormones. The thyroid gland is controlled by two gland the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The gland is called so because of its shape. The term originates from the Greeks which means shield.
Thyroid diseases
There are two types of thyroid disorders. These two are called hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland produces less thyroid hormone than the required standard. This is the most common condition out of the two thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism results when the immune system produces antibodies that destroy the thyroid hormones. This results in the reduction of thyroid hormones in the body. The less content of hormones triggers hypothyroidism. The thyroid acts like a gas pedal in the body. An over active thyroid will cause the systems in the body to run too fast and too hot. Where as an under active thyroid will cause the systems in the body to run too cold and too slow. When both body temperature and thyroid is low in the body the results can be devastating. This is because whenever there is a drop in the body temperature by one degree the metabolic rate too decreases by almost 6%. It is common for people to have a few degrees less temperature than normal. But this in turn affects the metabolic rate and the people feel tired and depressed.
Hyperthyroidism
This condition is exactly opposite to hypothyroidism. In this situation there is an excess secretion of thyroid hormones. This causes the systems of the body to run too fast and too hot. The metabolism rate of the body increases. Metabolism is a chemical and physical process that generates energy that is needed for the cells in the body to grow, function well and divide. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism include rapid heart beat, weight loss, heat intolerance and trembling of hands and fingers. The body temperature plays an important role in the function of thyroid hormones. The body works best at the normal body temperature. Fluctuation in the body temperature causes disturbances in the working of systems in the body.
It is important to care for your thyroid health. You must have a thyroid check up and follow simple measures that will help you to have a healthy thyroid gland. Iodine is the most important component needed by the thyroid hormones. Ensure that you include iodine in your diet or simply use iodized salt for your food preparations.
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