The Thyroid Gland

The Thyroid Gland

The Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is a small structure located in the front of the neck. It looks like a butterfly, as it is formed of two lobes connected together with a small fleshy part called the ismuth. It secretes a hormone called thyroxin hormone or the thyroid hormone directly into the blood. Thyroxin hormone is very essential for life.

Thyroxin

Thyroxin is the hormone synthesized by the thyroid gland, and then it is secreted into the blood to be distributed to the whole body. It is a very important hormone for life. The level of thyroxin hormone in the blood is controlled through various factors. Any disturbance to this level either by increase or decrease, leads to significant changes in the body.

Thyroxin hormone plays great role in facilitating the metabolism process, the process that converts the foods we eat into energy to be utilized by the cells in the various biological operations. Therefore, any change in the level of thyroxin leads to significant change in or BMR, or basic metabolic rate which refers to the amount of calories utilized by every square meter of the body surface area. This makes the thyroid hormone influences the weight of the body significantly to the degree that makes laboratory assessment of the level of it in the blood a routine test in all cases of obesity or sliming.

Thyroxin also increases the breakdown of proteins and the utilization of glucose by the body cells. In addition, the action of several hormones especially adrenaline, are affected by the level of thyroxin. Our cells tend to be more sensitive to adrenaline if thyroxin is secreted in high levels.

Disorders of Thyroxin

Any change in the level of Thyroxin inside our bodies leads to significant disturbance in our metabolism. If its levels are increased, a condition called thryo-toxicosis occurs. And, if it is decreased, Goiter occurs.