Transcript The Thyroid Gland

Celina Brown
• One of the largest endocrine glands
• The thyroid gland is located low in the
front of the neck
• The gland is shaped like a butterfly and
wraps around the windpipe or trachea.
• Controls how quickly the body uses
energy, makes proteins, and controls the
body’s sensitivity to hormones
• Tyrosine-based hormones produced by the thyroid
gland
• Iodine is necessary for production
• Effects of thyroxine in the body:
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Increases cardiac output
Increases heart rate
Increases ventilation rate
Increases basal metabolic rate
Potentiates brain development
Thickens endometrium in females
Increase metabolism of proteins and
carbohydrates
• Thyroxine is heavily composed of iodine
• If there is not enough iodine in the body, there will
be a resulting decrease in thyroxine
• The body does not make iodine, so it’s an essential part of your
diet.
• Iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism, mental disorders
in infants whose mothers were iodine deficient, and goiters
• A goiter is the swelling of the neck resulting from enlargement
of the thyroid gland
• The thyroid swells when it is not functioning properly
• This is mostly due to an iodine deficiency
Hyperplasia of thyroid to compensate for decreased
efficiency
Class One
Goiter cannot be seen,
but it can be felt.
Class Two
Goiter is both easily felt
and seen.
Class Three
Goiter is very large
and causes pain.
Pressure in the neck can
result in compression
marks.
• Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by
abnormally low thyroid hormone production.
• This is, once again, associated with an iodine
deficiency, or simply a malfunctioning thyroid
gland (most commonly Hashimoto’s Disease)
• Since the thyroid gland is responsible for
producing hormones that influence growth,
development, and many cellular and metabolic
processes, insufficient thyroid hormone has
many consequences on the body
Symptoms
Delay in growth (in children and teens)
Poor memory and concentration
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Feeling cold
Increased blood cholesterol
Shortness of breath
Depression
Weight gain with poor appetite
Slowed heart rate
Treatments
Hormone Replacement: Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the
synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Levothroid, Synthroid, others). This oral
medication restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the signs and symptoms of
hypothyroidism.
• Often referred to as an overactive thyroid, is a condition in
which the thyroid gland produces and secretes excessive
amounts of thyroid hormones
• Can be cause by: Graves' disease.
Toxic thyroid adenoma
Toxic multinodular goiter
Symptoms
Increased appetite
Tremors
Increased heart rate
Nervousness
Sudden weight loss
Sweating
Increased sensitivity to heat
Enlarged thyroid gland
Digestive fluctuations
Difficulty sleeping
Treatments
Radioactive Iodine
Taken orally, it shrinks the thyroid, reducing it’s
hormone producing activity.
Anti-thyroid medications.
Drugs that prevent the thyroid from producing
excess amounts of hormones
Beta blockers.
Won’t reduce thyroid levels, but will reduce
raped heart rate and prevent palpitations.
Surgery (thyroidectomy).
A rare treatment for those who can’t tolerate
drugs or radioactive iodine therapy.
1) Is the thyroid an endocrine of exocrine gland? How do you
know?
2) Is the thyroid gland an example of a negative or positive
feedback system? How do you know?
3) Describe the shape and location of the thyroid.
4) Describe the difference between hypothyroidism and
hyperthyroidism.
5) List three symptoms of hypothyroidism.
6) List two methods of treating hyperthyroidism.
7) Name one way hypothyroidism might be prevented.