Blog — thyroid hormone function

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 Dr. Alyssa Burns-Hill, ZRT Laboratory Many people assume that thyroid hormone deficiency or thyroid imbalance are to blame for weight loss failure, but there are some key factors to consider that might be affecting thyroid hormone function rather than focusing entirely on thyroid hormone levels: For a woman who has recently gone on the Birth Control Pill or HRT (or had her dose increased) it may be interfering with thyroid hormone availability causing a hypo-metabolic state. Higher estrogen may also increase her tendency to eat carbs, especially chocolate! (Remember the premenstrual chocolate munchies that many women succumb to!) The...