What does the thyroid gland do and what is a thyroid function test?
Your thyroid gland is an important part of our metabolism, and our body’s functioning. The thyroid gland controls metabolism, or energy derived from the foods that you eat, and maintains your normal body temperature, and heart rate. Your appetite and your digestive system will also be affected by your thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is also important in muscle and bone development, as well as normal brain and nervous system functioning. The thyroid gland is located in the middle of your neck. There are many thyroid hormones. Each has a different role. It all starts with iodide, a salt that is now found in most brands of table salt. The iodide that you ingest is taken in by the thyroid gland. Here begins a complex hormone process: • Once converted to iodine, your serum T4, (called thyroxine) hormone is formed. • The thyroxine hormone is converted into a more potent or active form of hormone, your serum (blood) T3. This is also called triiodothyronine. These T4 and T3 hormones will circ
