• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Joy of Wellness

Living better and longer, Natural Health

Main navigation

The Joy of Wellness

What? Would you like to find?
Browse by categories
  • Weight Loss
  • Health and Beauty
  • Diets and Nutrition
  • Natural Remedies
  • Alternative Medicine
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Life in Fullness
  • The Joy of Wellness from A to Z
  • All topics

The thyroid gland

  • Cramps: Causes and Natural Remedies
  • Blood Circulation and Quality Blood

Published: 09/27/2014 - Updated: 09/27/2014

Author: MSc. Miriam Reyes

The word thyroid comes from the Greek word thyreoeides which means “shield”, since it somewhat resembles this shape.  Leonardo da Vinci drew it as two separate glands, each one beside the larynx, like a butterfly.  The thyroid is a neuroendocrine gland located in the trachea, just below the Adam’s apple, along with the thyroid cartilage.  This glad weighs between 15 and 30 grams in an adult, and is comprised of two lobes connected by the isthmus.  The thyroids are controlled by the hypothalamus and the pituitary.

Fotolia_10710610_XSThe thyroids participate in hormone production, basically Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3).  These hormones are in charge of regulating primarily the body’s basal metabolism, they affect growth and degree of functioning for other body systems.  The thyroids also synthesize the hormone calcitonin which plays an important role in calcium homeostasis.

The most important hormone that the thyroids produces contains iodine, and is known as thyroxine.  It has two effects on the body: it controls energy production in the body, and is necessary for keeping the basal metabolic rate at a normal level.

Iodine is an essential component in the production process of thyroid hormones, especially for T3 and T4.

Contents

  • What functions do the thyroid glands have?
  • Bodily reactions to thyroid hormone deficiencies:
  • The most prominent changes due to this lack in children:
  •  In adults:
  • Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
  • Foods for thyroid gland health

What functions do the thyroid glands have?

  •  Regulate the metabolism and general body development.

Considering the most important metabolic regulations and body development, allow us to mention the following thyroid hormone actions in the body:

  • They possess a thermoregulatory action
  • They are necessary for proper growth and development.
  • They increase oxygen consumption.
  • They participate in the processes of muscular contraction and intestinal movement.
  • They stimulate the synthesis and breakdown of proteins.
  • They balance and regulate the mucoproteins and extracellular fluid.
  • They partake in the synthesis and breakdown of fats.
  • They participate in glucogen synthesis and glucose (sugar) use.
  • They are basic in the formation of vitamin A, from carotenes.
  • They stimulate growth and separation.
  • They are indispensable for the development of the nervous system, both central and peripheral.
  • They participate in dental development and growth.
  • They regulate the body’s sensitivity.

They thyroids participate in practically all of the body’s organic functions, activating them and keeping them in sync, and in vital balance.

Bodily reactions to thyroid hormone deficiencies:

As mentioned before, thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine) have a specific effect on development and the metabolism.  When this hormone is deficient during fetal development and during the first few months following birth, the child could present severe effects.

The most prominent changes due to this lack in children:

  • Deficient physical or intellectual development, which is proportional to the time that this thyroid hormone was lacking.  This effect is irreversible.

 In adults:

  • The primary effect from this deficiency manifests as metabolism changes.  This effect causes changes in oxygen consumption and in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins.

Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

We still have not been able to identify the quantitative numbers for thyroid hormone effects.  An abnormal thyroid diagnosis is usually apparent.  Lab tests can detect thyroid dysfunction.  However, more subtle forms of thyroid dysfunction, like subclinical hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, present a greater challenge.

  • Not all green gold is good
    MORE IN THE JOY OF WELLNESS
    Not all green gold is good

Hyperthyroidism is is characterized by very active thyroids due to a metabolic disorder whereby the excessive actions of the thyroid gland produces hypersecretion of the thyroid hormones.  This disorder’s effects cause symptoms like tachycardia, weight loss, anxiety, nervousness, and the shakes.

Hypothyroidism is associated with low activity in the thyroid glands, whose effects cause symptoms like snoring, lethargy, slow speech, changes in memory, constipation, fatigue, dry and rough skin, hair loss, sadness, fertility problems, decreased libido, impotence, irregular menstruation, unexplained weight gain, etc.

Foods for thyroid gland health

Beets and a diet rich in iodine is an advisable diet for nervous system health.  The development of thyroid tumors, which is a condition associated to a growth in the thyroids, is related to very low, or no iodine consumption.

Revised by: Dra. Loredana Lunadei on 09/27/2014 linkedin

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Loading...

About the author

By MSc. Miriam Reyes

Mire Reyes has a mayor in nutrition and is a renowned therapist with years of experience in the care of overweight patients and nutritional problems. She offers help from her therapeutic approach that brings together the best of conventional therapies and alternative or complementary therapies. Linkedin

Reader Interactions

You may also be interested

  • Open Pores in the Skin Open Pores in the Skin Having open pores is very common. Pores are tiny orifices that eliminate sweat, among other [...]
  • Gastritis, Stomach Ulcers and Worry Gastritis, Stomach Ulcers and Worry Why do I have gastritis? The brain and the stomach are closely connected by the [...]
  • Excessive hair or Hirsutism: causes and natural tips to treat it Excessive hair or Hirsutism: causes and natural tips to treat it In some women, hair growth on the legs, back, face, or extremities is frequently more [...]

You are here: The Joy of Wellness » Diets and Nutrition » The thyroid gland

All about Health and Beauty

  • CBD, an ally for health CBD, an ally for health Cannabis is a plant full of secrets, secrets that take the form of compounds known [...]
  • Avocado for Skin, Arthritis, Damaged Hair, Anemia, Tendons, etc. Avocado for Skin, Arthritis, Damaged Hair, Anemia, Tendons, etc. Avocado is a green fruit with a buttery consistency and a very versatile taste that [...]
  • Feeling of Suffocation: Causes and Treatment Feeling of Suffocation: Causes and Treatment To feel like you can't breath or that you're choking can feel very terrifying for [...]
  • How to prevent Cavities How to prevent Cavities Under the best of conditions, teeth can last our entire lives without cavities, all you [...]
  • Beauty tips for your Back Beauty tips for your Back Is there anyone who's never felt tempted to touch a well-sculpted, smooth skinned, and well postured back [...]
Footer
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Copyright © 2023 · The Joy of Wellness
   
Disclaimer  About Us  Cookies Policy  Privacy Policy  Contact  Topics
The services, content and products on our website are for information purposes only. The Joy of Wellness does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment