Thyroid Gland, Hormones and Thyroid Problems, Animation

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped ENDOCRINE gland located in the neck. It is

wrapped around the trachea, just below the thyroid cartilage –the Adam’s apple. The
two major hormones of the thyroid are triiodothyronine, T3 and thyroxine, T4. The
numbers 3 and 4 indicate the number of iodine atoms present in a molecule of each
hormone. T3 and T4 are collectively referred to as THYROID hormones. Thyroid
hormone secretion is under control of thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH, from the
anterior pituitary. TSH, in turn, is induced by thyrotropin-releasing hormone, TRH,
produced by the hypothalamus. The amount of circulating thyroid hormones is
regulated by a negative feedback loop: when their levels are too high, they
SUPPRESS the production of TSH and TRH, consequently INHIBITING their own
production. Thyroid hormones act to INCREASE the body’s metabolic rate. They
stimulate appetite, digestion, breakdown of nutrients and absorption. They also
increase oxygen consumption, raise the breathing rate, heart rate and contraction
strength. As a result, the body’s HEAT production is INCREASED. Thyroid hormone
secretion usually rises in winter months to keep the body warm. Thyroid hormones
are also important for bone growth and fetal brain development. There are 2 major
groups of thyroid problems: HYPOthyroidism: when the thyroid does NOT produce
ENOUGH hormones, resulting in a LOW metabolic rate, combined with SLOW respiratory
and cardiovascular activities. Common symptoms include fatigue, weight gain despite
poor appetite, cold intolerance, slow heart rate, heavy menstrual bleeding and
constipation. Iodine deficiency and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are the most common
causes. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland
is gradually destroyed by the body’s own immune system. Hypothyroidism, especially
when caused by iodine deficiency, may lead to swelling of the thyroid gland, known
as GOITER. In an attempt to fix the low levels of thyroid hormones, the pituitary
produces MORE TSH to further stimulate the thyroid gland. The thyroid, while UNable
to make hormones WITHOUT iodine, responds to TSH by GROWING in size. Hypothyroidism
is managed with thyroxine hormone replacement. HYPERthyroidism: when the thyroid
gland produces TOO MUCH hormones, resulting in a TOO ACTIVE metabolism, together
with respiratory and cardiovascular rates that are HIGHER than necessary. Common
symptoms include irritability, insomnia, weight loss despite good appetite, heat
intolerance, heart racing and diarrhea. Hyperthyroidism is most commonly caused by
Graves' disease, another autoimmune disorder characterized by presence of an
antibody, called thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin, TSI. TSI, similar to TSH,
stimulates the thyroid gland to produce hormones. Unlike TSH, however, TSI is NOT
regulated by negative feedback mechanisms, leading to UNcontrolled production of
thyroid hormones. TSI also stimulates the thyroid gland to grow, which MAY lead to
formation of a goiter. Hyperthyroidism may be managed with drugs that suppress
thyroid function, radioactive iodine that selectively destroys the thyroid gland,
or surgery that removes part of the gland.