The Thyroid And Parathyroids

An informative article on: The Thyroid And Parathyroids.

The thyroid is among the largest of endocrine glands, and is located in the neck. It is often referred to as an ‘Adam’s Apple’ and it is responsible for how quickly energy is utilized by the body. The thyroid is also responsible for making proteins, and sensitizing the body to other hormones secreted by other endocrine glands. The parathyroids are very small glands located behind the thyroid and they regulate the amount of calcium within bones and in blood.

Thyroid Hormones

There are two hormone secreted by the thyroid, commonly referred to as T3 and T4. The actual medical terminology has them as tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine. Both hormones are stimulated by the thyroid releasing hormone in the pituitary gland and are responsible for the body’s ability to break down food being eaten into waste products while releasing energy. Simply speaking, these two hormones are directly responsible for the amount of energy available to the body.

Common Thyroid Disorders

The most common thyroid disorders are the result of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (under active thyroid). Hyperthyroidism is the result of too many hormones being secreted into the body which in turn causes hyperactivity and weight loss. Other common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are fear, rapid heart rate, loss of appetite and diarrhea. The opposite condition, hypothyroidism, causes weight gain, decreased energy and can lead to slow growth in infants and children. Also, along with delayed development, mental retardation can be evidenced.

The Parathyroids

There are actually four small glands behind the thyroid called the parathyroids. On rare occasions some are located in the chest. These glands produce hormones that help control the calcium and phosphorous levels in the body, and are necessary for the development of strong bones. If the diet does not provide adequate calcium, the parathyroid glands manufacture parathyroid hormone (PTH) that grabs calcium from bones to make it available in the bloodstream for muscle contractions and nerve conduction.

Disorders Originating from Removal of Parathyroids

There are times when the parathyroids are removed during surgery on the thyroid. This results in low serum calcium that causes arrhythmia, tingling in the extremities, muscle spasms, and at times, difficulty breathing. Both chronic illness and tumors can cause excessive secretion of PTH which can result in kidney stones, bone pain, increased urination, fatigue and weakness in the muscles. Unfortunately, this is also one of the leading causes of osteoporosis. The usual course of treatment is replacement therapy and/or calcium supplements.

When a patients present themselves at the doctor’s office complaining of unexplained weight gain and a feeling of lethargy, the first thing a doctor will do is run a series of tests to check levels thyroid and parathyroid hormones in the bloodstream. The same is true when there is sudden weight loss, anxiety and symptoms that are associated with hyperthyroidism. Because the thyroid and parathyroid glands play such a huge role in metabolism, they are considered to be primary glands in the endocrine system.