Thyroid and important endocrine function of the body?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Head of Department of Medical Examination - Internal Medicine, Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland with many important functions, we often hear about the thyroid gland, but few people know what the thyroid gland is, where the thyroid is located and how important they are to the body. body? What are the common thyroid diseases today? All questions will be answered in the article below.

1. What is the thyroid gland?

The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine gland in the body and has many important functions. Is an endocrine gland that secretes thyroid hormones including Thyroxine (also known as T4 because there are 4 iodine molecules in its composition), tri-iodo-thyronine hormone (also known as T3).

2. Where is the thyroid gland located?

The thyroid gland is located in front of the neck, shaped like a butterfly, in front of the thyroid is skin and muscle, behind the thyroid is the windpipe. The thyroid gland consists of two lobes, the left and right lobes, which are connected by the isthmus of the thyroid gland. Thyroid position is equivalent to cervical vertebra 5 to thoracic vertebrae 1. Weight: The thyroid gland weighs about 10 - 20 grams.

3. Function of the thyroid gland

Thyroid hormone has the following functions:
Increases cell activity, enhances glucose metabolism, increases blood sugar and enhances lipid metabolism to create energy for the body to work, causing weight loss. Effects on gonads and mammary glands. Increased heart rate, increased blood flow through the heart, increased respiration to provide oxygen for the metabolism in the organ tissues. Enhances brain and nervous system activity. Effects on the growth and development of the body, especially the brain. Maintain stable levels of calcium in the blood.

4. Common thyroid diseases

Iodine is a component that helps the thyroid gland synthesize thyroid hormones, so excess or deficiency of iodine can be the cause of some thyroid diseases.
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is under-functioning leading to a deficiency in the synthesis of T3 and T4 and the release of thyroid hormones.
Causes of hypothyroidism can be due to a reduction in the diet containing iodine (less than 150 micrograms of iodine per day), thyroidectomy, congenital, use of anti-thyroid drugs,...
Manifestations of hypothyroidism such as: : Decreased body temperature, fatigue, drowsiness, weight gain, constipation, less urination, sluggish body, impaired thinking ability, memory loss, decreased heart rate, low blood pressure, decreased sexual function, ...
Hyperthyroidism (the most common is Graves' disease): Basedow is an autoimmune disease, characterized by hyperthyroidism due to thyroid-stimulating antibodies appearing and circulating in the blood. This is a common pathology in endocrine diseases, accounting for about 10-30% of thyroid diseases and is characterized by diffuse goiter.
Causes of autoimmune diseases (Basedow is common in women aged 30- over 50 years old), using too much iodine (>500 micrograms/day) in the diet, toxic multinodular goiter, adenoma toxicity, thyroiditis, inflammation of the pituitary gland,... Symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as: Increased body temperature, weight loss even when hungry and eating enough nutrition, difficulty sleeping, hot and humid skin, increased sweating, fear of heat, diarrhea, diarrhea, muscle tremors, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, irritability, talking a lot, difficulty concentrating, palpable thyroid gland,...

Thyroid cancer: Thyroid cancer is a common disease and is completely curable because this is a cancer with a pretty good prognosis, patients can be detected early by thyroid ultrasound through regular physical examination. Periodic and cytological imaging by fine needle aspiration thyroid nodules under ultrasound guidance and prompt treatment.
Symptoms of thyroid cancer later in life are:
Anterior neck tumor moves in rhythm with swallowing. Hoarseness, difficulty breathing. Neck lymphadenopathy.

5. Examination and treatment of thyroid disease

Thyroid disease can occur in many different subjects, thyroid disease screening should be performed to avoid consequences caused by thyroid disease. Vinmec Hospital with a team of leading endocrinologists and doctors, experienced in customers, is examined, consulted and treated according to the correct, complete and professional process. High quality advanced medical equipment for the most accurate diagnosis and highly effective treatment. The thyroid is a large gland with many important functions, the thyroid gland is in an easy to see location and some diseases can be detected with the naked eye. General examination includes regular thyroid exams to detect medical conditions and correct them in time.
The screening package for thyroid diseases of Vinmec International General Hospital helps: Check thyroid function; Screening & early detection of common thyroid diseases such as: Simple goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer,... to guide the follow-up and appropriate and timely treatment in the very early stages of the disease.

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