What is the function of the Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, right below the larynx and next to and around to the trachea. It’s a butterfly shape due to the gland consisting of two lobes that are connected by a piece of tissue called the isthmus. Each lobe is filled with follicles that contain hormones the body needs to function. Cells producing thyroid hormones are very specialised in extracting and absorbing iodine from the blood and incorporate it into the thyroid hormones. These two cells are responsible for producing certain hormones that the thyroid gland then secretes into the bloodstream. • The thyroid gland (thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) ) produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolic rate, (calorie burning) controlling heart, muscle and digestive function, brain development, help control body temperature, help regulate the production of protein and bone maintenance. • The parafollicular cells (also called C cells) create calcitonin, which helps regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the blood Parathyroid responsible for regulation of calcium levels. Follicular cells (also referred to as thyroid epithelial cells, which makes up a majority of the thyroid gland) create thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are the major metabolism-regulating hormones, while the parafollicular cells (also called C cells) create calcitonin, which helps regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the blood. The thyroid gland is controlled by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, which are both located in the brain. The hypothalamus releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which then tells the pituitary gland to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Together the hypothalamus and pituitary gland know when thyroid hormone levels are too high or too low, and by secreting an appropriate amount of TRH and TSH they can signal to the thyroid gland how much or how little hormones it needs to make.5 Its correct functioning depends on a good supply of iodine from the diet. Which we get a majority of through food or supplements. (seaweed, eggs, bake potatoe or yougurt) Both T3 and T4 need iodine in order to be produced by the thyroid gland. Once iodine makes its way to the thyroid it gets converted into T3 and T4. The thyroid gland releases hormones into the bloodstream to control your metabolism, which is the primary way your body uses energy. In addition to metabolism, the hormones it releases also help with processes like bone growth, brain development, heart rate, digestion, muscle functioning, body temperature, menstrual cycles, and more. The thyroid can also produce more hormones when needed, such as to help increase body temperature or when a woman is pregnant. Functions are controlling metabolism / bone growth / brain development / regulates heart rate and temperature / muscle function / digestion / menstrual cycles.