The thyroid produces two main thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Production of your thyroid hormones is governed by another thyroid hormone produced in the pituitary gland located deep within the brain. This thyroid hormone is called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
While TSH is considered a thyroid hormone it is not actually produced in the thyroid. Once released by the pituitary TSH travels to the thyroid via the bloodstream to stimulate production of the thyroid hormones.
When levels of T4 and T3 fall, the pituitary secretes more TSH. Conversely, as T4 and T3 levels rise the pituitary secretes less TSH. Normally this feedback system ensures your body has adequate amounts of both T4 and T3. When TSH is high it is a clear indication your body is suffering from inadequate thyroid activity.
A healthy thyroid gland manufactures far greater quantities of T4 than T3. While T4 does have some effects, it is considered the ‘storage’ form. T4 is converted to T3 by the body when a greater thyroid response is needed. This means T4 is on standby, ready to be quickly converted into the active T3 when it is required to boost the metabolic rate.
Thyroid disease results from an underactive or overactive thyroid that produces too little or too much of the thyroid hormones. Knowing how your thyroid works helps you understand your thyroid problem. It also helps you understand why it’s vital to get more than TSH tested. The widely held belief that TSH is an accurate marker of thyroid health is misleading.
Below Here are 2 videos for you to understand more about thyroid hormones.
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Louise O’ Connor, the author of The Natural Thyroid Diet –The 4-Week Plan to Living Well, Living Vibrantly, who is a specialist in Thyroid Health. She is a highly regarded Australian Naturopath and founder of Wellnesswork.
The Natural Thyroid Diet goes beyond diet advice and offers practical and effective ways to achieve healthy thyroid levels within just a short period of time. For more details, Click on The-Natural-Thyroid-Diet.com