What is the thyroid gland?
The thyroid is a small pinkish-gray gland located in the front of the neck; it is made up of two butterfly-shaped lobes on either side of the trachea and joined by the neck. It is located at the level of the C5 and T1 vertebrae. When we swallow, the gland moves, separating from the vertebrae.
Function of the thyroid gland
The function of the thyroid gland is to produce, store and release into the blood thyroid hormones, known as T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), whose basic compound is thyroxine.
These hormones are involved in the development of the nervous system and regulate metabolism, i.e. the rate at which the body burns calories for energy. These hormones also control heart rate, cholesterol concentrations, glycogen synthesis, glucose utilization, vitamin A formation, body temperature, gastrointestinal tract, memory and muscle strength, among other functions.
The thyroid is a small pinkish-gray gland located in the front of the neck.
To perform all functions, the thyroid is supported by two other glands: the pituitary gland, which is responsible for detecting the amount of thyroid hormones in the blood and producing more if necessary (by releasing TSH), and the hypothalamus, which releases TRH so that the pituitary gland can produce TSH.
Pathologies that the thyroid gland can suffer from
When we do not have adequate concentrations of T3 and T4 we speak of thyroid dysfunction. In this sense, we can differentiate different pathologies:
- Hypothyroidism: when the thyroid does not produce sufficient amounts of hormones, causing metabolic processes to slow down. This is the most common disease of this gland, and manifests itself with weakness, muscle cramps, memory problems, moodiness, fatigue, drowsiness, weight gain due to fluid retention, cold skin, infertility, among others.
- Hyperthyroidism: when the thyroid produces too much hormone in the blood, and consequently the body works faster. The main symptoms of this pathology are: nervousness, hand trembling, weakness, weight loss, palpitations, anxiety, excessive sweating, diarrhea, among others.
- Thyroid nodule, abnormal growth of thyroid tissue. It affects 65% of the population, although most of them are benign.
- Multinodular goiter, enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Treatments for pathologies of the thyroid gland
In general, treatments for thyroid pathologies are effective, although first we must know and analyze the origin of the dysfunction, which can be:
- Lack of iodine
- Immune system diseases
- Thyroid nodules
- Thyroid infections (thyroiditis)
- Diseases caused by tumors (few cases).
Usually they can be treated with medical treatment, but if this is not effective, surgery to remove the thyroid gland will be necessary. The pathologies that usually require this technique are: thyroid nodule, large multinodular goiters, hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.
Specialist who treats pathologies of the thyroid gland
The specialist who treats thyroid pathologies is the endocrinologist, although there are treatments that are carried out by specialists in General Surgery.