Thyroid Disorders

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped organ located in the neck.  It is wrapped around the windpipe just below the Adam’s apple.   The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism and growth.  Thyroid disease occurs when there is an imbalance of thyroid hormones produced. This can be due to either dysfunction of the thyroid gland itself, or structures above the thyroid gland which regulate its function.  These structures are the pituitary gland which releases thyroid stimulating hormone, and the hypothalamus which regulates the pituitary gland.  The function of the thyroid gland is to convert iodine, an essential nutrient found in dairy products, seafood, kelp, bread and some vegetables, into the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).  The thyroid hormones are then released into the blood to regulate the metabolism of virtually every cell.