Hyperthyroid Disorders

Lesson 1: What is Hyperthyroidism?

The Endocrine System and Homeostasis

The thyroid gland is the largest of the endocrine glands. The endocrine glands include the thyroid, adrenals, parathyroids, pituitary, ovaries and testes, the pineal gland, which lies within the thymus, and the islet of Langerhans, which is found in the pancreas. Together, the endocrine glands form a complex network known as the endocrine system. The endocrine glands all produce chemicals known as hormones.

Hormones are chemical messengers composed of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Hormones are called messengers because they tell the body’s cells and organs to perform specific actions. For instances, thyroid hormone orders the cells in the heart to beat faster.

In order to carry out their intended actions, hormones must travel through the blood circulation and reach targets located on tissue cells. These targets are specific protein known as a receptors. Receptors for thyroid hormone are found on the cell surface or cell nucleus of specific tissue cells. Consequently, the responses caused by hormones are slower than the reactions caused by nerve impulses. In the nervous system, messages are sent via electrical impulses along neurons.

Unlike other glands, the endocrine glands do not contain ducts. Because they are ductless, endocrine glands are able to release the hormones that they produce directly into the blood circulation. Endocrine glands normally release their hormones adapting the amounts in response to various internal and external stimuli, such as a change in temperature, diet or stress.

Each of the endocrine hormones, including thyroid hormone, has several different functions or physiological effects. Specific amounts of hormone are essential for good health. Deficiencies or excesses of hormones can cause various symptoms, syndromes and diseases.

Homeostasis: The various bodily systems work together in an effort to achieve a state of self-maintaining health known as homeostasis. The endocrine glands work together and influence one another in an effort to achieve homeostasis. Glands will alter their function, releasing more or less of certain hormones as needed. An example involves the increased thyroid hormone production that occurs in early pregnancy when the mother must supply the fetus with thyroid hormone.

Similarly, the pancreas will secrete more of the hormone insulin when blood sugar levels begin rising too high. Insulin lowers blood sugar levels. Over time, however, with chronic overuse, this system may begin functioning improperly and diseases may develop.

Psychoneuroimmunology: The nervous system, the immune system and the endocrine system all work hand in hand, each system influencing the others. The study of this inter-relationship is known as psychoneuroimmunology or PNI. PNI is often referred to as the Mind-Body connection.

The study of PNI is important for understanding how stress and emotional distress can trigger autoimmune and endocrine disorders. PNI is also an important tool for understanding how simple things such as nourishing the immune system with a nutrient-rich diet and avoiding environmental triggers such as chemical toxins and allergens can dramatically benefit the endocrine and nervous systems.

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