Blog — thyroid

The thyroid gland, that tiny butterfly-shaped organ nestled behind and below the Adam's apple, plays a crucial role in maintaining our overall health. Yet, despite its modest size, thyroid issues affect a staggering number of adults, with approximately 30 million individuals suffering from thyroid imbalances in the United States alone. Astonishingly, many of these cases go undiagnosed. In this blog, we'll delve into the world of thyroid dysfunction, exploring its causes, symptoms, and the importance of early detection.   The Hidden Epidemic One of the most alarming aspects of thyroid dysfunction is its underdiagnosis. According to the American Thyroid Association,...

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. It plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions by producing hormones that control metabolism and energy production. Thyroid hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), influence the functioning of almost every organ in the body, including the heart, brain, muscles, and skin.The thyroid gland functions under the control of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which signals the pituitary gland to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH then stimulates the thyroid gland to produce...

By Tracy Tranchitella The role that iodine plays in the thyroid is well established. We need iodine to make thyroid hormones, and the numeric designation in T3 and T4 represents the number of iodine molecules attached to the amino acid tyrosine. In part one of this series on iodine, I examined the versatility of this unique element and its uses throughout history and explored the sources and forms of iodine found in foods and supplements. In part two of this series, I take a closer look at the role that iodine plays in the thyroid and in various extrathyroidal tissues...

*By Jim Paoletti, ZRT Laboratpry Many patients who produce sufficient hormone from the gland still suffer from low thyroid symptoms. Hypothyroidism is defined as: “lack of thyroid hormone production from the thyroid gland.”  When thyroid levels are not within normal ranges, many conventional treatment protocols rush into thyroid replacement therapy. Two problems exist with this approach: If the patient has normal levels of T4 and T3—but a slightly elevated TSH—they are classified as “Subclinical Hypothyroid” and continue to suffer from symptoms. If the patient has low levels of T4 and/or T3, they are given thyroid replacement therapy—even though they may produce...

By Dr. Kate Placzek, ZRT Laboratory I was so tired. I needed a new word for tired. I felt exhausted and incapacitated, utterly drained and hollowed out. It was like my brain and body were fading. And yet, these words are still not descriptive enough to relate how I felt. Getting out of bed felt grueling, punishing. I was 24 at the time, in my 4th year of my PhD program at Purdue University. I was newly engaged and so in love with my soon-to-be husband. Really good things were happening in my life. And I could barely function. On the...