Thyroid Function

The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system. This gland makes, stores and secretes hormones that are involved in human development, growth, and metabolism. These hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and the rate at which food is converted into energy, which are essentials functions of the human body. They also help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions in the body. If your body is using energy to slowly or to quickly, than it should, you may have a thyroid disease (Hershman). A thyroid gland that is not active enough, called hypothyroidism. It can make your gain weight, feel fatigued and have difficulty dealing with cold temperatures. If your thyroid is too active, your making more thyroid hormones than needed, it's called hyperthyroidism. Too much thyroid hormone can make you lose weight, speed up your heart rate and make you very sensitive to heat.

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. The insufficient production of thyroid hormone can develops when the thyroid gland fails to produce or secrete, thyroxin and triiodothyronine, as the body needs. Thyroxin regulates such functions as heart rate, digestion, physical growth and mental development; an insufficiency of this hormone can slow the body processes, damage organs and tissues in every part of the body and lead to complications. An example of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder that inhibits the production of thyroid hormones by actively destroying the thyroid gland. The decreased functionality of the gland results in diminished levels of thyroid hormones production, which presents itself with weight gain, edema, overall sluggishness, cold intolerance, a decrease in cardiac output and other manifestations.

Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. When the thyroid gland over produces too much of the hormone thyroxin, these resulting in hyper-metabolic state causes increased heat production and accelerates many of the bodies processes. An example of hyperthyroidism is Graves's disease, which is an autoimmune disease in which the body produces antibodies to the thyrotrophic receptor. This causes constitutive activation of the receptor and constant secretion of thyroid hormones, without the normal negative feedback that occurs when these levels rise. Hyperthyroidism manifests as increased basal metabolic rate, weight loss, heat intolerance, sweating, inability to sleep, an increase in cardiac output and heart rate, and a variety of other presentations. This type of hyperthyroidism also presents with bulging eyes and occasionally with goiter, a visible enlargement of the thyroid gland.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 20 million people in the United States have thyroid disease. Women are more likely to have thyroid problems than men. There are several causes of thyroid disease, depending upon which type of disorder a person has. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are types of thyroid disease. Excessive of iodine is often a

cause of hyperthyroidism. A goiter, which is an enlarged thyroid, can produce too much thyroxin and triiodothyronine hormones. The nodules on the thyroid themselves may also cause hyperthyroidism. An inflammation of the thyroid can also spark the release of excess hormones. Another cause of hyperthyroidism is the treatment of hypothyroidism through hormone replacement drugs. If the dosage of hormone replacement mediations is too high, then the thyroid gland can end up with an excessive amount of hormones.

The inflammation of the thyroid gland slows down the production of thyroxin and triiodothyronine hormones. Iodine deficiency is a cause of hypothyroidism. In order for the thyroid gland to make hormones it needs iodine. Hypothyroidism may also be hereditary, a condition known as Hashimoto's Disease. Women can get hypothyroidism after giving birth;