| |
Endocrine gland in the throat that secretes hormones vital to metabolism and growth. Secretion of thyroid hormones — mostly thyroxine (T4) — is controlled by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), released by the pituitary gland when the level of thyroid hormones in the blood drops below a certain threshold (see endocrine system). These hormones’ primary action in adults is to regulate cellular oxygen consumption (metabolic rate). They also lower blood cholesterol and are necessary for normal growth and development in children. The thyroid also produces calcitonin, a hormone that stimulates deposition of calcium from the blood into the bones, balancing the action of parathyroid hormone.
The most common thyroid disease is thyroid nodular disease (the appearance of small, usually benign lumps within an otherwise healthy gland), followed by hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid cancer.
Medications may be used to treat hyperthyroidism to reduce the production of thyroid hormone, its release from the gland and/or to treat the signs and symptoms that occur in hyperthyroidism such as a rapid heart beat. In hypothyroidism, synthetic thyroid hormone is used to replace the inadequacy of thyroid hormone. Occasionally, in the case of a large goiter, Thyroid hormone replacement may be given in small doses in an attempt to shrink the gland size. It should be mentioned that there are "natural" thyroid compounds available on the market. These vary in their effects and in their dosing and are beyond the scope of this discussion. Steroids and other anti-inflammatory medications, such as NSAIDs, may also be used to reduce inflammation of inflamed thyroid glands. Treatment depends on the particular thyroid disease present. Levothyroxine is a stereoisomer of thyroxine which is degraded much slower and can be administered once daily in patients with hypothyroidism.
Medication linked to thyroid: |
|
