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What is the thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland is a brownish-red, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland, located at the base of the neck just below the Adam’s apple at the level of the fifth cervical to first thoracic vertebrae. The thyroid gland sets the rate at which the body produces energy from the body’s stores by the release of thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland hormones regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight. It may become overactive, producing too much hormone (hyperthyroidism), or underactive, not producing enough hormone (hypothyroidism).
The thyroid gland produces two hormones, triiodothyronine or T3 and thyroxine or T4, which are released into the blood stream. The amount of the hormones produced is controlled by the pituitary gland in the brain. The pituitary gland produces a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is controlled by thyroid releasing hormone produced in the hypothalamus. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid gland to produce the thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland cells also produce a hormone called calcitonin.
The thyroid gland produces two hormones, triiodothyronine or T3 and thyroxine or T4, which are released into the blood stream. The amount of the hormones produced is controlled by the pituitary gland in the brain. The pituitary gland produces a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is controlled by thyroid releasing hormone produced in the hypothalamus. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid gland to produce the thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland cells also produce a hormone called calcitonin.
TRH (Thyroid Releasing Hormone) TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)