Function of the Thyroid: What Does It Do?

At some point when making a visit to your health care provider, the topic of thyroid health has probably come up, especially if problems run in your family. However, even though these issues are fairly common and often hereditary, many people do not know what the function of the thyroid is and what role it plays in our overall health.

The word "thyroid" comes from the Greek word for shield, because of the shape of the cartilage that surrounds this important structure. The thyroid is a small endocrine gland in the neck that secretes hormones that our bodies use on a nearly constant basis. These hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and tryoxine (T4), are used to regulate nearly every metabolic process in our bodies, including:

When the thyroid becomes impaired, too much or too little of these hormones are secreted, which results in thyroid disorders or may be the result of an autoimmune disease. Symptoms of thyroid problems can run the gamut and range from unexplained weight loss or gain to sensitivity to heat or cold, heart problems, fatigue, mental distress, and much more.

If you have any questions about the function of the thyrosid, the role it plays in your health, or need guidance on thyroid monitoring due to a family history of thyroid disorders, consult with your primary care provider. He or she will likely be able to give you more information about how to make sure you have a healthy thyroid.