Hyperthyroid Disorders

Lesson 1: What is Hyperthyroidism?

Key Points

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland, which means that it produces hormone and secretes them directly into the blood circulation.

The endocrine system, the immune system, and the nervous system all influence one another. They work together to maintain health in a system known as the mind-body connection. The study of this connection is known as psychoneuroimmunology or PNI.

Hormones are chemical messengers. Hormones order or direct specific cells to perform specific functions.

The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormone.

Thyroid hormone regulates the growth and function of many different organs including the heart. It also regulates body temperature and hair and skin growth, and it influences mood.

Thyroid hormone is composed of the mineral iodine and the amino acid tyrosine.

In hyperthyroid disorders, the gland secretes too much thyroid hormone.

Normally, thyroid hormone production is regulated by the pituitary gland via the hormone thyrotropin. Thyrotropin is also known as thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH.

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