Hypothyroidism

Lesson 1: Thyroid 101

What does the thyroid do?

In the last section, we defined and located the thyroid. In this section, we will discuss:

I’ll also ask you to begin theorizing about what may happen to the body if the thyroid doesn’t function properly.

In a nutshell, the thyroid’s job is to make thyroid hormones. Sounds simple, right? In a way it is simple. If you look at the thyroid as a factory which produces a product, then yes, it’s an open and shut case. However, it’s the importance of the product that the thyroid makes which causes one to realize just how intricate this simple thing can be. In other words, the hormones the thyroid creates are very involved in different processes throughout the body. (We'll delve more into that in upcoming lessons.)

Alrighty then, so what hormones does the thyroid produce?

The thyroid produces two major thyroid hormones referred to as triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

In order to understand how the thyroid produces hormones, it’s important to realize that thyroid cells are the only cells which can absorb iodine. Iodine is a trace mineral that is found in many foods. It contains properties that help the thyroid produce its hormones, specifically thyroxine. Without enough thyroid hormone, cell metabolism suffers. (We will find out how in a later lesson.)

Triiodythyronine and Thyroxine are called T3 and T4 respectively because the “3” and the “4” tell us how many iodine molecules combine with the amino acid tyrosine to form these hormones. A healthy thyroid produces about 80% of T4 hormones and 20% of T3 hormones. T3 can be made by T4 in the thyroid and hypothalamus (a part of the brain) if needed. This is called T4 to T3 conversion, or if you like the more scientific term, mono-deiodination. (I bet you can’t say that ten times fast!)

Whoa, hold up! I need you to slow down and explain T3 and T4 a little better. I’m lost.

For this section, we really don’t need to go into T3 and T4 in depth. T3 and T4 are hormones produced by the thyroid which travel through the body and help cells convert oxygen and calories into energy. These thyroid hormones play a major control in the metabolism. (The metabolism is the scientific term used to describe the process by which the body takes oxygen and calories and uses them for energy.)

Does that clear it up?

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