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February 10, 2012
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Thyroid Facts

Medical Author:
Stephanie L Lee, MD, PhD, FACE
Medical Editor:
Robert Ferry Jr., MD
Robert Ferry Jr., MD

Robert Ferry Jr., MD, is a U.S. board-certified Pediatric Endocrinologist. After taking his baccalaureate degree from Yale College, receiving his doctoral degree and residency training in pediatrics at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), he completed fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

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Thyroid Diseases

What Are Thyroid Diseases and Problems?

There are many diseases and conditions of thyroid problems. Examples of thyroid problems include:

  • hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid),
  • hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid),
  • hypothyroidism in pregnancy,
  • hyperthyroidism in pregnancy,
  • postpartum thyroid disease,
  • thyroid nodules,
  • goiter,
  • thyroid cancer,
  • Hashimoto's thyroiditis,
  • Graves' disease,
  • thyroid storm, and
  • myxedema coma.

REFERENCE: eMedicine.com. Thyroid Disease.
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1172273-overview>

Thyroid Overview

The thyroid is an organ that is considered part of the endocrine, or hormone, system. It is located in the neck below the Adam's apple. The thyroid's main purpose is to produce thyroid hormones. These hormones then travel through the bloodstream to all the other tissues and organs to help control metabolism in adults and growth, development, and metabolism in children.

  • The thyroid is shaped like a butterfly. The two "wings" of the butterfly are the right and left lobes of the thyroid, with lie on both sides of the trachea or main breathing tube. The connection between the wings is called the isthmus.

  • The two hormones that the thyroid produces are L-thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3).
  • The thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) hormones regulate your body's metabolic functions such as heat generation, and the utilization of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. In children, thyroid hormones are responsible for growth and development.

  • Regulatory hormones from different parts of the brain control the thyroid's production of T4 and T3. In the pituitary gland, thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (TSH) is released when more thyroid hormone is needed and travels via the bloodstream to the thyroid gland. TSH then stimulates the thyroid to produce T4 and T3.

  • The pituitary gland acts like a thermostat. When there is too much thyroid hormone in the bloodstream, the pituitary releases less TSH to signal the thyroid to produce less thyroid hormone. When there is too little thyroid hormone in the bloodstream, the pituitary releases more TSH to signal the thyroid to increase thyroid hormone production. Through this "feedback" system, the production of thyroid hormone is tightly controlled.

Location and picture of the thyroid gland. Note two lobes of the thyroid, similar to butterfly wings.

Picture of the Thyroid Gland


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Thyroid Facts

Hypothyroidism »

Hypothyroidism Overview

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones affect the metabolic processes of the body. Hypothyroidism can be caused by conditions of the thyroid as well as other disease which may indirectly affect the thyroid. Women are affected by hypothyroidism more than men, especially as they age. The incidence of hypothyroidism increases significantly in the elderly. Low thyroid hormone levels decrease metabolism (how energy is used), and increase the risk of other health issues such as heart disease and problems of pregnancy.

Hypothyroidism Causes in Adults

Common causes of hypothyroidism in adults include:

Autoimmune Thyroiditis (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis)

This inherited condition is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in adults. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system...

Read the Hypothyroidism article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Thyroid Anatomy »

The thyroid is a brownish-red and highly vascular gland located anteriorly in the lower neck, extending from the level of the fifth cervical vertebra down to the first thoracic.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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