Thyroid gland

Thyroid conditions can lead to problems with weight, digestion, and tiredness. However, you may not think about Though medical treatment can help treat thyroid problems, you should know a few lifestyle changes that can help your thyroid, too, like adjusting your diet or watching what you eat in general. Health spoke to What Is the Thyroid—And What Does It Do? Located in the neck, the thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that is a part of the endocrine system. It essentially makes hormones and helps regulate metabolism. The thyroid is also involved in assisting the functions of a number of organ systems throughout the body. These systems consist of the heart, bones, and gastrointestinal tract; the central nervous system, and the autonomic nervous system. However, a few health concerns can occur if your thyroid does not function properly. For example, an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, can cause rapid weight loss, an unusually fast heartbeat, and anxiety. The opposite— Other thyroid conditions include goiter (thyroid enlargement), thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules ( What To Do for a Healthy Thyroid Making a few dietary and lifestyle adjustments can potentially be beneficial for the health of your thyroid. Go Mediterranean One of the most important things you can do to maintain a healthy thyroid is to eat a well-balanced diet. "Seventy percent of our autoimmune system is found in our intestines, known as GALT, or gut-associated lymphoid tissue," said Dr. Gupta. "When...

Thyroid surgery The thyroid is a small gland shaped like a butterfly. It’s located in the lower front part of the neck, just below the voice box. The thyroid produces hormones that the blood carries to every tissue in the body. It helps regulate metabolism — the process by which the body turns food into energy. It also plays a role in keeping the organs functioning properly and helping the body conserve heat. Sometimes, the thyroid produces too much hormone. It may also develop structural problems, such as swelling and the growth of cysts or nodules. Thyroid surgery may be necessary when these problems occur. Thyroid surgery involves removing all or a portion of the The most common reason for thyroid surgery is the presence of nodules or tumors on the thyroid gland. Most nodules are benign, but some can be cancerous or precancerous. Even benign nodules can cause problems if they grow large enough to obstruct the throat, or if they stimulate the thyroid to overproduce hormones (a condition called hyperthyroidism). Surgery can correct Graves’ disease causes the body to misidentify the thyroid gland as a foreign body and send antibodies to attack it. These antibodies inflame the thyroid, causing hormone overproduction. Another reason for thyroid surgery is the swelling or enlargement of the thyroid gland. This is referred to as a There are several different types of thyroid surgery. The most common are lobectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy, and total thyroidectomy. Lobectomy Some...