Thyroid Overview
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that is located in the lower front of the neck, just below “Adam’s apple”. Anatomically, it is divided into a Right and a Left lobe, the two being connected through the Isthmus.
The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones, e.g. thyroxine, which are secreted into the blood stream and then carried to every single tissue and organ in the body.
Thyroid hormones help regulate several organs and systems in the body, such as:
- Energy metabolism
- Cardiac function, blood pressure and heart rate
- Menstruation
- Bowel function and motility
- Growth
- Mental state