What does your thyroid gland do?
The thyroid gland is an important endocrine gland that makes and releases hormones responsible for many of your body’s processes, including controlling your metabolism. As a result, when the thyroid gland isn’t working correctly, it can impact your whole body.
In this guide, we answer the question “What does your thyroid gland do?” and explain what conditions can affect your thyroid function as well as the common symptoms of thyroid problems to look out for.
Discover how Bluecrest Wellness can help you keep a check on your thyroid health with a private thyroid blood test.
What is the thyroid?
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. It is part of your endocrine system and controls many of the body’s important functions by producing and releasing hormones. However, its main job is to control your metabolism, the process by which your body transforms the food you consume into energy.
The thyroid gland produces and releases hormones responsible for many body processes, so when it’s not working correctly, it can impact the whole body.
What does the thyroid do?
The thyroid gland makes and secretes hormones responsible for many of the body’s processes, including controlling your metabolism. The thyroid gland produces and releases the following hormones:
Thyroxine (T4)
Thyroxine is the primary hormone the thyroid gland makes and releases. Although this is the most abundantly made hormone, it doesn’t have much effect on metabolism. However, T4 can be converted into Triiodothyronine (T3) in the bloodstream through a process known as deiodination.
Triiodothyronine (T3)
The thyroid gland produces much less T3 than T4, but T3 has a much greater impact on your metabolism.
Reverse triiodothyronine (RT3)
The thyroid gland makes very small amounts of RT3, which reverses the effects of T3.
Calcitonin
This hormone helps to regulate the amount of calcium circulating in your blood.
To make thyroid hormones, your thyroid gland needs iodine, an element found in food and water. The thyroid gland traps iodine and transforms it into thyroid hormones. This means having too much or too little iodine in your body can affect the levels of hormones your thyroid gland makes and releases.
How does the thyroid gland affect body functions
The thyroid gland plays an important role in many of your body’s functions, including:
- How your body uses energy
- Heart rate
- Breathing
- Digestion
- Body temperature
- Brain development
- Mental activity
- Skin and bone maintenance
- Fertility
What conditions and disorders affect the thyroid?
There are several different types of thyroid disease, but it is split into two main types: primary and secondary. Primary thyroid disease originates in your thyroid gland, whereas secondary thyroid disease originates in your pituitary gland.
Thyroid disease is a relatively common condition and is usually treatable. Four main conditions affect your thyroid, including:
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is when you have an underactive thyroid gland, meaning it doesn’t produce and release enough thyroid hormones. This can cause aspects of your metabolism to slow down. Hypothyroidism is a fairly common condition and is treatable with medications.
Common causes of hypothyroidism include:
- Hashimoto’s disease – an autoimmune disease
- Thyroiditis – inflammation of the thyroid
- Iodine deficiency
- A non-functioning thyroid gland (when the thyroid gland doesn’t work correctly from birth)
- Over-treatment of hyperthyroidism through medication
- Thyroid gland removal
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is when you have an overactive thyroid that produces and releases more thyroid hormones than your body needs. This can cause your metabolism to speed up. Like hypothyroidism, it is fairly common and is treatable.
Common causes of hyperthyroidism include:
- Grave’s disease – an autoimmune condition
- Thyroid nodules
- Thyroiditis – inflammation of the thyroid
- Postpartum thyroiditis – inflammation of the thyroid that happens after giving birth
- Excess iodine in your blood from diet or medication
- Over-treatment of hypothyroidism through medication
- A non-cancerous tumour in your pituitary gland
Goiter
Goiter is an enlargement of your thyroid gland. There are different depending on their type:
- Simple goitres – these develop when your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough hormones to meet your body’s needs. Your body tries to make up for the shortage by growing larger.
- Endemic goitres – these goitres occur in people who don’t get enough iodine in their diet.
- Sporadic goitres – these goitres have no known cause in most cases.
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer is cancer that begins in your thyroid tissues. It is classified based on the type of cells from which cancer grows. This includes:
- Papillary – up to 80% of all thyroid cancer cases are papillary
- Follicular – accounts for up to 15% of thyroid cancer diagnoses
- Medullary – accounts for around 2% of cases and is often caused by a gene mutation
- Anaplastic – approximately 2% of thyroid cases are anaplastic
What are the early signs and symptoms of thyroid problems?
The early signs and symptoms of thyroid problems can vary depending on the type of thyroid condition. However, as the thyroid gland has a key role in many bodily functions, from regulating your metabolism to temperature control and heart rate, there are some symptoms to watch out for that can indicate thyroid problems, including:
- A slow or rapid heart rate
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Difficulty tolerating cold or heat
- Depression or anxiety
- Irregular menstrual periods in women
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor to see if you should have your thyroid function tested.
How can you test your thyroid health?
A blood test can be used to test your thyroid health. A thyroid blood test measures the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood and can screen for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. It can also analyse the levels of T4 in your blood.
If your blood test results are abnormal, you may be advised to undergo further screening tests, such as an ultrasound of your thyroid, to help determine the underlying cause.
Private thyroid testing
At Bluecrest Wellness, we offer a range of private blood tests, including private thyroid function blood tests, to help you gain vital insights into your hormone health.
What’s more, a thyroid blood test can be added to any of our complete health MOTs, which include a comprehensive range of tests to enable you to take a proactive approach to managing your overall health and risk of certain health conditions.
We use the latest technologies to ensure accurate results and all our tests can be booked at a time and location that’s convenient for you. In addition, every full health assessment comes with a comprehensive Results Report and free access to a 24/7 GP helpline for a year for complete peace of mind following your health assessment.
