What Gland Is Affected By Hypothyroidism?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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(underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your

thyroid gland

doesn't produce enough of certain crucial hormones.

What gland is affected by hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) occurs when

your thyroid gland

produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism can accelerate your body's metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Several treatments are available for hyperthyroidism.

Does hypothyroidism affect the pituitary gland?


Subclinical hypothyroidism affects the pituitary gland

just like secondary hypothyroidism, but subclinical thyroid dysfunction means too much TSH is produced. In subclinical hypothyroidism, your thyroid hormone levels are within a normal range.

Which hormone does a person with hypothyroidism lack?

Hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid disease, is a common disorder. With hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland does not make enough

thyroid hormone

. The thyroid gland is located in the front lower part of your neck.

What organs are affected by thyroid hormone?

Organ Systems Involved

Thyroid hormone affects virtually every organ system in the body, including

the heart, CNS, autonomic nervous system, bone, GI, and metabolism

.

Is there a connection between thyroid and pituitary gland?

The pituitary is an

endocrine

gland located at the base of your brain that controls your endocrine system, including your thyroid. The pituitary affects the thyroid by producing a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH causes cells within your thyroid to make more T3 and T4 hormone.

What glands are affected by the pituitary gland?

The pituitary gland is often dubbed the “master gland” because its hormones control other parts of the endocrine system, namely the

thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes

.

Which gland is located on the thyroid gland?


Parathyroid Gland

Four small masses of epithelial tissue are embedded in the connective tissue capsule on the posterior surface of the thyroid glands. These are parathyroid glands, and they secrete parathyroid hormone or parathormone. Parathyroid hormone is the most important regulator of blood calcium levels.

Why is my thyroid gland swollen?

A goiter can sometimes occur when your thyroid gland produces

too much

thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). In someone who has Graves' disease, antibodies produced by the immune system mistakenly attack the thyroid gland, causing it to produce excess thyroxine. This overstimulation causes the thyroid to swell.

What is the anatomy of the thyroid gland?

The thyroid gland is a

ductless alveolar gland

found in the anterior neck, just below the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple). It is roughly butterfly-shaped, with two lobes wrapping around the trachea and connected in the middle by an isthmus. The thyroid gland is not usually palpable.

What does the thyroid gland do?

The thyroid is a gland. You have glands throughout your body, where they create and release substances that help your body do a specific thing. Your thyroid makes

hormones that help control many vital functions of your body

. When your thyroid doesn't work properly, it can impact your entire body.

What causes an underactive thyroid gland?

An underactive thyroid often occurs when

the immune system, which usually fights infection

, attacks the thyroid gland. This damages the thyroid, which means it's not able to make enough of the hormone thyroxine, leading to the symptoms of an underactive thyroid.

What does a small thyroid gland mean?


Hypothyroidism

, also called underactive thyroid, is when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormones to meet your body's needs. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck.

How does hypothyroidism affect the endocrine system?

Endocrine system

When you have hypothyroidism,

your body makes too little of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4

. These hormones control your metabolism. They affect the way your body uses energy. As a result, many of your body's main functions change and can slow down.

What are endocrine glands?


An organ that makes hormones that are released directly into the blood and travel to tissues and organs all over the body

. Endocrine glands help control many body functions, including growth and development, metabolism, and fertility. Some examples of endocrine glands are the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands.

Which gland of the endocrine controls the other glands in the body?

Pituitary.

The pituitary gland

is located below the brain. Usually no larger than a pea, the gland controls many functions of the other endocrine glands.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.