In spite of being relatively small, butterfly-shaped organ, the thyroid is a pivotal part of the body that you cannot live without. The thyroid has a hand in your endocrine system, as well as homeostatic processes, like body temperature, breathing, heart rate, cholesterol levels, and the central and peripheral nervous systems. Because the thyroid gland is such an important piece of our anatomy, when it dysfunctions, the resulting conditions can be debilitating.
Understanding more about the thyroid and the common conditions that can occur due to imbalances and other disorders can help you with getting your health and life back on track.
How The Thyroid Works
The thyroid gland is one piece of the endocrine system, a collection of glands in the body that create, store, and release hormones into the blood. The thyroid uses iodine to manufacture two important hormones:
• Triiodothyronine (T3)
• Thyroxine (T4)
T3 and T4 need to be perfect. Numbers that are too low or too high will cause complications within other areas of the body, including the brain’s hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. The T3 and T4 hormones also regulate the speed of your metabolism, aiding in the processing of food. Therefore, if those levels are low, your heart rate will slow, you experience weight gain, and even constipation. When the hormones are too high, your heart races and you have unintended weight loss, diarrhea, and so on.
Of course, these are just some of the problems that occur when your thyroid is not working properly. Tap READ MORE for 12 thyroid disorders that will lead to dramatic changes in weight, mood, energy levels, and more:
