Common Symptoms Of Thyroid Disorders You Need To Know

A small organ with a big purpose

Typically measuring around five cm in length and around 1.5-1.8 cm in thickness, the thyroid gland is a small internal body part that plays a big role in your wellbeing and overall health. This butterfly-shaped organ is a vital aspect of the endocrine system and is essential to maintaining your body’s metabolism, regulating many of its functions, and producing adequate amounts of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Your thyroid gland serves a unique purpose, which is to absorb and utilize the iodine in your body and, together with the amino acid tyrosine, convert it into T4 and T3. 

The production and release of these hormones into your system is a balancing act skilfully carried out by a healthy thyroid gland. When out of whack, however, the imbalance could cause myriad health problems that range from easier to manage conditions like thinning hair and inability to regulate your body temperature to more serious matters like mental issues and heart disease.