The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, plays a crucial role in the body’s endocrine system, influencing metabolism, growth, development, and body temperature. The thyroid gland produces two essential hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones play a key role in managing your body’s energy production, regulating temperature, ensuring proper heart function, aiding digestive health, and maintaining your mood.
When the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones, a condition known as hypothyroidism, you might gain weight and feel unusually tired or sluggish. If the thyroid produces too many hormones, known as hyperthyroidism, you could experience symptoms like a rapid heartbeat and a general feeling of being overstimulated. Globally, hypothyroidism is usually caused by a diet that doesn’t have enough iodine. In the United States, though, hypothyroidism is usually caused by a condition called Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease and occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid.
