World Thyroid Day 2024:
World Thyroid Day is observed annually on May 25th to raise awareness about the thyroid gland and the various conditions that affect it.
- The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple.
- It’s a part of your endocrine system and controls many of your body’s important functions by producing and releasing thyroid hormones, like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
- These hormones affect every cell in the body.
- They support the rate at which the body uses fats and carbohydrates.
- They help control body temperature.
- They have an effect on heart rate.
- They help control how much protein the body makes.
- Thyroid Disease is a general term for a medical condition that keeps your thyroid from making the right amount of hormones.
- Thyroid disorders are very common and mainly occur in women, although anybody-men, teenagers, children, and babies, too, can be affected.
- The two main types of thyroid disease are
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): Not enough thyroxine is produced for the body’s needs. This is the most common thyroid disorder.
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid): Too much thyroxine is produced for the body’s needs.
