What is Thyroid?

       Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ(or gland) located in the front of the neck, just below the voice-box. Like the liver, heart, kidney and brain, thyroid has a specific function and role to play. In a normal adult the thyroid normally weighs 15 to 25 grams. It is known that it starts functioning even before birth. Thyroid secretes two metabolically important hormones, called T3 and T4 that are vital for physical and mental growth.

What is Hypothyroidism?

       Of the two major functional thyroiddisorders, hypothyroidism and hyper thyroidism, the more frequent is hypo thyroidism (almost 2 to 3 times). The major role of the Thyroid gland is to produce the two hormones T3 and T4, which requires many resources, reactions and events to produce these two hormones. When any of the requirements are not met with, the gland fails to produce adequate quantities of hormones. When the production of thyroid hormones falls below the body's normal need, certain signs and symptoms are exhibited and this clinical condition is called Hypothyroidism.

What is Hyperthyroidism?

       Thyroid normally has a self-controlled mechanism, which is also known as “feed back mechanism”. However, sometimes such control fails and the production of the hormones result in certain signs and symptoms of increased metabolic activity. This clinical condition is called Hyperthyroidism. 'Hyper' means 'Excessive'. In such patients, laboratory tests indicate above normal levels of FT3 and FT4 and very low TSH levels exactly opposite to the hypothyroidism.

Thyroid Cancer:

       Fortunately, thyroid cancer is one of the least frightening among cancers. The tumor can be removed by surgery along with the entire gland. This may be followed by giving radio iodine orally to clear any tissue remaining behind after surgery, and also giving the required hormones for the rest of the life. Many thyroid cancer patients lead a normal life after surgical treatment.