Thyroid Disease
Thyroid Disease
The endocrine system consists of many different hormones that act as chemical messengers and send all sorts of information throughout the body. One of the largest endocrine glands in the body is called the thyroid gland. In the body system, the thyroid is what produces the hormone that will regulate basal metabolic rate, or more simply, the metabolism. The hormones that the thyroid produces regulate growth, metabolism, and sexual developments and functions. In order to do this, the thyroid uses iodine, which is absorbed from foods and water. Without iodine, it is impossible for the thyroid to produce the thyroid hormones needed. Using about 1/5 to 1/3 of this iodine, it combines with tyrosine (amino acids) to make the hormones. Then the hormones are released and sent to the bloodstream and then to the body’s cells. It is essential to produce thyroid hormones in order to have strong bones, hair, skin, and nails, for proper growth, muscle functions, heart, and the development of the brain and body’s organs. Although small in size, the thyroid and its hormones affect organs in the body system and will promote other problems throughout the body.
When thyroid hormones are not produced by the proper amount needed for the body, it usually results in an appearance of an enlarged thyroid, then thyroid disease. The most common conditions or problems in thyroid disease are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The overactive thyroid is known as Hyperthyroidism. This thyroid releases too much thyroid hormone into the bloodstream. The hyperthyroid also uses up energy too quickly, causing the metabolism to speed up. On the contrary, the hypothyroid is an under active thyroid that does not produce enough thyroid hormone needed. Because the hypothyroid does not produce enough hormones, once they enter the bloodstream, the energy is used up much slower, resulting in a slow metabolic rate.
Recent studies show that...
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