What are the thyroid and parathyroid glands?
Both the thyroid and parathyroid glands are endocrine glands. This means they make and secrete (release) hormones. Hormones are chemicals which can be released into the bloodstream. They act as messengers, affecting cells and tissues in distant parts of your body. Thyroid hormones affect the body’s metabolic rate and the levels of certain minerals in the blood. The hormone produced by the parathyroid also helps to control the amount of these essential minerals.