Thyroid, let's get to know it
The thyroid is a small endocrine gland (about 5/8 cm) with a shape similar to a butterfly, located in the front part of the neck, more or less at the level of the fifth cervical vertebra.
The activity of this gland influences the proper functioning of almost all the organs of our body, especially through the regulation of metabolic and growth processes. More specifically, the thyroid has the task of producing two iodine-containing hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine), respectively identified as T3 and T4, which are fundamental in controlling metabolism.
The entire operating mechanism is rather complicated, but it can be summarized by saying that it is a circular system in which the thyroid itself regulates the amount of hormones T3 and T4 produced, depending on their actual level in the blood.
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In this hormonal synthesis process, some trace elements (mainly iodine, but also selenium) are essential, so much so that any deficiencies in the body can lead to the thyroid not functioning properly, with repercussions on our health. In particular, then in some stages of life, such as during pregnancy, the need for iodine tends to increase, so in these cases, as underlined by Prof. Francesco Vermiglio, endocrinologist specialist, it is useful to adopt a correct strategy of integration to the normal diet, using for example iodized salt.
When something is wrong with the thyroid, however, it is not always easy to identify the problem immediately, as the main symptoms of thyroid diseases are quite generic and can easily be confused with those of other disorders. Among the most frequent are weight changes, a sense of weakness and fatigue, nervousness, difficulty concentrating, dry skin and intolerance to heat and cold.
In the presence of symptoms that may give rise to doubts, the most correct approach is in any case to contact your doctor, who will prescribe the TSH dosage to ascertain any hormonal imbalances, and then refer to an endocrinologist specialist for further diagnostic investigations.
In collaboration with The Portal of Health
