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🦋 Understanding the Thyroid Gland

  • Writer: ketogenicfasting
    ketogenicfasting
  • May 6
  • 2 min read

Updated: May 13

The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland is a key part of the endocrine system. It produces and releases hormones that regulate many critical body functions.


⚠️ Signs You May Need a Thyroid Check


If you’re experiencing:

  • 🔺 Unexplained weight changes

  • ❤️‍🔥 Heart rate irregularities

  • ❄️ or 🌡️ Temperature sensitivity


Ask your healthcare provider for a simple blood test to evaluate your thyroid function.



✅ Is It Possible to Live Without a Thyroid?

Yes, you can live without a thyroid. However, you'll need to take hormone replacement medication for life to stay healthy and avoid symptoms related to hormone deficiency.


As a key part of the endocrine system, thyroid gland produces and releases hormones that regulate many critical body functions.
As a key part of the endocrine system, thyroid gland produces and releases hormones that regulate many critical body functions.


🔬 Thyroid Hormones You Should Know


Your thyroid produces and releases several essential hormones:


  • 🧪 Thyroxine (T4)The primary hormone, later converted into T3 in your body.


  • 🔥 Triiodothyronine (T3)More potent than T4 and has a stronger effect on metabolism.


  • 🔁 Reverse T3 (RT3)Produced in small amounts, it blocks T3 activity.


  • 🦴 CalcitoninHelps regulate calcium levels in your blood.




🧂 Iodine: Crucial for Thyroid Hormone Production


Your thyroid needs iodine to function properly.


Sources of iodine include:

  • 🧀 Cheese

  • 🥚 Eggs

  • 🥛 Yogurt

  • 🐟 Saltwater fish

  • 🦐 Shellfish

  • 🌿 Seaweed, kelp

  • 🧂 Iodized salt


⚠️ Too much iodine can also be harmful—moderation is key!


💡 What Do Thyroid Hormones Affect?


Thyroid hormones influence nearly every system in your body:


  • ⚡ Metabolism speed

  • ❤️ Heart rate

  • 🌬️ Breathing

  • 🍽️ Digestion

  • 🌡️ Body temperature

  • 🧠 Brain development

  • 💭 Mental activity

  • 🦴 Skin & bone maintenance

  • 👶 Fertility



🧬 Thyroid Diseases: Causes and Types


Thyroid disease is very common, especially among women.

👉 Roughly 20 million Americans have a thyroid condition.

👩 Women are 5–8x more likely than men to develop one.



⚠️ Risk Factors:


  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Family history of thyroid disease

  • 🧬 Autoimmune diseases (e.g. Type 1 diabetes, lupus)

  • 💊 High-iodine medications



🧠 Types of Thyroid Disease


🧪 Primary Thyroid Disease

Originates in the thyroid gland (e.g. nodules causing hormone overproduction).


🧠 Secondary Thyroid Disease

Originates in the pituitary gland (e.g. TSH-secreting tumors).



📉 Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)


When the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, metabolism slows down.


🧍 Affects about 10 million Americans.


🧾 Common Causes:


  • 🛡️ Hashimoto’s disease (autoimmune)

  • 🔥 Thyroiditis (inflammation)

  • ❌ Iodine deficiency

  • 👶 Congenital thyroid absence

  • 💊 Over-treatment of hyperthyroidism

  • 🛑 Thyroid removal



📈 Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)


Occurs when your thyroid produces too much hormone, speeding up metabolism.🧍


Affects about 1 in 100 Americans over age 12.


🧾 Common Causes:


  • 👁️ Graves’ disease (autoimmune)

  • 🔘 Thyroid nodules

  • 🔥 Thyroiditis

  • 👶 Postpartum thyroiditis

  • 🧂 Excess iodine intake

  • 💊 Over-treatment of hypothyroidism

  • 🧠 Pituitary tumor



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