What Are Some Signs of Thyroid Problems?
The thyroid gland produces the hormones thyroxine, or T4, and triiodothyronine, or T3. The thyroid hormone levels in the circulation determine the activity rate of the body tissues, also known as the metabolic rate. Hyperthyroidism describes the condition of abnormally elevated thyroid hormone levels, which causes an increased metabolic rate. Hypothyroidism causes an abnormally decreased metabolic rate due to low thyroid hormone levels. Signs of thyroid problems typically prompt blood testing to measure circulating concentrations of T3 and T4.