what does the Thyroid do?

Answer 1

It actually helps with all most all your body functions. your heart, if you have a thyroid that is mal functioning then your heart rate may in crease or decrease depending on the way your thyroid is malfunctioning and it effects so many parts of your body...your thinking,all of it..

Answer 2

It is like a computer for every part of your body. In basic terms it keeps everything running smooth. It tells your brain when to make the hormones your body needs. If your thryroid isnt functioning the right way, a lot can get out of wack. You can become tired all of the time, emotional roller costers( like a never ending case of pms), weight gain or loss, hair loss, dry skin, bulging eyes, achy joints, bones, memory fuzziness and a whole bunch more. There are different diagnosis for thyroid problems. Email me if you need more info

Answer 3

It controls your metabolism and keeps your whole body functioning properly. The thyroid’s main job is to produce thyroid hormone that tells specific body parts what to do. Thyroid hormones help the body make energy, keep body temperature regulated and assist other organs in their function.

Answer 4

Bangles was more correct...for some reason, doctors are taking thyroid out like they are tonsils..and giving people medication that you take for the rest of your life...meaning you are paying some med company a fee for the rest of your life to basically keep you live.

are you overweight....is this why they are telling you your thyroid needs to be removed?

GET A SECOND OPINION...dont take one doctors word.

If you have cancer to the thyroid...well I guess its gotta go, but if not...if its weight, you can lose it the old fashion way...workout!

Answer 5

Thyroid Gland

What Is Your Thyroid Gland?

Your thyroid gland is one of the endocrine glands, which make hormones to regulate physiological functions in your body. The thyroid gland manufactures thyroid hormone, which regulates the rate at which your body carries on its necessary functions. Other endocrine glands are the pancreas, the pituitary, the adrenal glands, the parathyroid glands, the testes, and the ovaries.

The thyroid gland is located in the middle of the lower neck, below the larynx (voice box) and just above your clavicles (collarbones). It is shaped like a "bow tie," having two halves (lobes): a right lobe and a left lobe joined by an "isthmus.". You can't always feel a normal thyroid gland.

When Is A Thyroid Gland Abnormal?

Diseases of the thyroid gland are very common, affecting millions of Americans. The most common diseases are an over- or under-active gland. These conditions are called hyperthyroidism (e.g., Grave's disease) and hypothyroidism. Sometimes the thyroid gland can become enlarged from over-activity (as in Grave's disease) or from under-activity (as in hypothyroidism). An enlarged thyroid gland is often called a "goiter." Sometimes an inflammation of the thyroid gland (Hashimoto's disease) will cause enlargement of the gland.

Patients may develop "lumps" or "masses" in their thyroid glands. They may appear gradually or very rapidly. Patients who had radiation therapy to the head or neck as children for acne, adenoids, or other reasons are more prone to develop thyroid malignancy. A doctor should evaluate all thyroid "lumps" (nodules).

How Does Your Doctor Make The Diagnosis?

The diagnosis of a thyroid abnormality in function or a thyroid mass is made by taking a medical history and a physical examination. Specifically, your doctor will examine your neck and ask you to lift up your chin to make your thyroid gland more prominent. You may be asked to swallow during the examination, which helps to feel the thyroid and any mass in it. Other tests your doctor may order include:

1. An ultrasound examination of your neck and thyroid
2. Blood tests of thyroid function
3. A radioactive thyroid scan
4. A fine needle aspiration biopsy
5. A chest X-ray
6. A CT or MRI scan


Fine Needle Aspiration

If a lump in your thyroid is diagnosed, your doctor may recommend a fine needle aspiration biopsy. This is a safe, relatively painless procedure. A hypodermic needle is passed into the lump, and samples of tissues are taken. Often several passes with the needle are required. There is little pain afterward and very few complications from the procedure occur. This test gives the doctor more information on the nature of the lump in your thyroid gland and specifically will help to differentiate a benign from a malignant thyroid mass.

Treatment Of Thyroid Disease

Abnormalities of thyroid function (hyper or hypothyroidism) are usually treated medically. If there is insufficient production of thyroid hormone, this may be given in a form of a thyroid hormone pill taken daily. Hyperthyroidism is treated mostly by medical means, but occasionally it may require the surgical removal of the thyroid gland.

If there is a lump of the thyroid or a diffused enlargement (goiter), your doctor will propose a treatment plan based on the examination and your test results. Most thyroid "lumps" are benign. Often they may be treated with thyroid hormone, and this is called "suppression" therapy. The object of this treatment is to attempt shrinkage of the mass over time, usually three-six months. If the lump continues to grow during treatment when you are taking the medication, most doctors will recommend removal of the affected lump.

If the fine needle aspiration is reported as suspicious for or suggestive of cancer, then thyroid surgery is required.

What Is Thyroid Surgery?

Thyroid surgery is an operation to remove part or all of the thyroid gland. It is performed in the hospital, and general anesthesia is usually required. Usually the operation removes the lobe of the thyroid gland containing the lump and possibly the isthmus. A frozen section (an immediate microscopic reading) may or may not be used to determine if the rest of the thyroid gland should be removed. Sometimes, based on the result of the frozen section, the surgeon may decide to stop and remove no more thyroid tissue, or proceed to remove the entire thyroid gland, and/or other tissue in the neck. This is a decision usually made in the operating room by the surgeon, based on findings at the time of surgery. Your surgeon will discuss these options with you preoperatively.

After surgery, you may have a drain (a tiny piece of plastic tubing), which prevents fluid from building up in the wound. This is removed after the fluid accumulation is minimal. Most patients are discharged one to three days after surgery. Complications after thyroid surgery are rare. They include bleeding, a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, numbness of the skin on the neck, and low blood calcium. Most complications go away after a few weeks. Patients who have all of their thyroid gland removed have a higher risk of low blood calcium post-operatively.

Patients who have thyroid surgery may be required to take thyroid medication to replace thyroid hormones after surgery. Some patients may need to take calcium replacement if their blood calcium is low. This will depend on how much thyroid gland remains, and what was found during surgery. If you have any questions about thyroid surgery, ask your doctor and he or she will answer them in detail.

Answer 6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid