Hypothyroidism

DrUnnikrishnanAG explains how a small butterfly-shaped gland plays a vital role in maintaining our health.

- Dr Unnikrishnan

Thyroid - the butterfly gland

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped structure, situated in the neck and the cells of the gland produce the thyroid hormones. The main thyroid hormones are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The thyroid is a wonderful factory, economically using its energy bank to control the energy of the entire body!

However, the thyroid gland economy needs a stimulus package to make it work, just like any other economy! This stimulus is called thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH. The TSH is produced by the master gland in the brain called the pituitary. TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce enough hormones.

Case study

Mrs K is a 59-year-old lady who had not been feeling well for quite a while. Her memory was declining but her children told her that it was due to old age. Worried, she consulted her doctor who examined her and found that she had a small swelling in the neck. The swelling, the doctor said, was an enlargement of a gland in the neck called the thyroid gland. The doctor immediately ordered some thyroid tests.

Mrs K's reports showed that her thyroid gland was not functioning properly. The doctor told her that the condition was called 'hypothyroidism' and could be treated with a simple pill called levothyroxine. Mrs K started taking the medication and soon she started feeling better. Her memory and energy level improved.