subject: The Thyroid Gland's Function [print this page] The Thyroid Gland's Function The Thyroid Gland's Function
The thyroid gland is one of the most important glands in our body. It is a butterfly shaped gland located at the base of the neck, at the front-just behind the small hollow where your collar bones meet.
The function of this gland is to produce the T3 hormone (triiodothyronine) and the t4 hormone (thyroxine). These 2 hormones controls:
your metabolic rate - the way you metabolize your food
your weight, you may have a weight loss or a weight gain
your sleep - how well or how poorly you rest
your energy level
your body temperature
the ability to relax
to regulate blood cholesterol levels
your cardia output, blood pressure and oxygen delivery to our tissues
Another hormone that the thyroid gland produces is one called calcitonin. Together with another hormone called the parathyroid hormone, they control of the amount of calcium circulating in the blood. Too much calcium in the blood will make you feel drowsy and feel sick. A lack of calcium may produce sensations of pins and needles and cause your muscles to twitch and jerk.
For overall thyroid gland good health specific minerals and vitamins are required to function. Two of the major trace elements that are needed are iodine and selenium. Your thyroid cannot function without iodine. Along with these two elements the three trace metals that play a vital role in healthy thyroid function are zinc, iron and copper. Both an under active thyroid, hypothyroidism, and an over active thyroid, hyperthyroidism, may result in a zinc deficiency.
It's well known that women are more prone to thyroid disease than men at a rate of about 3:1. These may manifest for women during hormonal flux such as peri-menopause or childbearing. Supporting this important gland through life changes can be achieved by eating a well balanced diet with a full range of nutrients.
The thyroid gland is very sensitive to stress. In today's always in a rush mode, most times our gland is in overdrive. A very simple way to alleviate this is by simply sitting down and taking the time to enjoy our food. Making healthy choices, enjoying your meals with friends and family with no external influences, such as the television, you can make a big difference in not only your thyroid health, but your health in general.
