What is Thyroid | What is Thyroid Disease? | What is Endocrine System | Reverse triiodothyronine (RT3)

 Thyroid

Thyroid is a tiny, butterfly-shaped gland that is covered by skin at the front of your neck. It is a component of your endocrine system and regulates a number of crucial bodily processes by creating and releasing (secreting) specific hormones. The thyroid is a gland. You have glands throughout your body, where they create and release substances that help your body do a specific thing. Your thyroid makes hormones that help control many vital functions of your body. The primary function of the thyroid is to regulate your metabolic rate, which is the rate at which your body converts the food you eat into energy. Your body's cells all require energy to function. Thyroid develops and manufactures hormones that are involved in numerous bodily processes. Thyroid disease is characterized by the overproduction or underproduction of these critical hormones by your thyroid. Thyroid disease comes in a variety of forms, such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Your entire body may be affected if your thyroid isn't functioning properly.

What is Thyroid Disease?

A medical problem that prevents your thyroid from producing the appropriate amount of hormones is known as thyroid illness. Normally, your thyroid produces the hormones necessary to keep your body operating correctly. Your body uses energy too quickly when the thyroid produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. It is known as hyperthyroidism. More than just making you fatigued, using energy too quickly can also make your heart beat quicker, make you lose weight unintentionally, and even make you feel anxious. Contrarily, your thyroid may produce too little thyroid hormone. It is known as hypothyroidism.

Endocrine System

A network of glands that produce and exude (release) hormones makes up your endocrine system. An organ that produces hormones, digestive fluids, sweat, or tears is referred to as a gland. Hormones are directly released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands. Hormones are substances that communicate with your organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues through your blood to coordinate various bodily functions. These messages instruct your body on what to do and when to do it. Your thyroid produces and secretes hormones since it is an endocrine gland. The following hormones are produced and released by your thyroid:

Thyroxine (T4)

The main hormone produced and released by your thyroid is thyroxine (T4). This hormone is mostly produced by your thyroid, yet it has little impact on your metabolism. Once your thyroid has released T4 into your bloodstream, it can then undergo a process known as deiodination to change to T3.

Triiodothyronine (T3)

Triiodothyronine (T3) is produced by your thyroid in smaller levels than T4 but has a considerably bigger impact on metabolism.

Reverse triiodothyronine (RT3)

Reverse triiodothyronine (RT3) is a hormone that your thyroid produces in very small quantities and which counteracts the effects of T3.

Calcitonin

This hormone aids in controlling blood calcium levels.

Your thyroid gland requires iodine, an element present in diet (most frequently, iodized table salt) and water, in order to produce thyroid hormones. Iodine is captured by your thyroid gland, which turns it into thyroid hormones. The amount of hormones your thyroid produces and releases can change if you have an iodine deficiency or excess.

Goiter

Your thyroid gland will expand if you have a goiter. In the United States, goitres are relatively prevalent, affecting about 5% of the population.

Many factors can induce goiter’s, depending on the type.

Simple goiters

When your thyroid gland is unable to produce sufficient hormones to satisfy your body's demands, simple goiter’s form. Your thyroid gland tries to compensate for the deficiency by expanding.

Endemic goiters

Those who don't consume enough iodine in their diet develop these goiters (iodine is necessary to make thyroid hormone). Those who live in the United States and numerous other nations, where iodine is introduced to table salt, typically do not develop endemic goitres.

Sporadic goiters

In most cases, there is no recognized reason for these goiters. Certain drugs, including lithium, have the potential to occasionally produce goitres. a little enlargement of the thyroid gland in a person with a normal thyroid function who lives in an iodine-sufficient region. These goitres can have a wide range of symptomatology, size at presentation, and growth rate. They can also be diffuse, uninodular, or multinodular.