Thyroid diseases | Your Health Connection

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Health A to Z

Thyroid diseases

Definition

Endocrine glands
Primary and secondary hypothyroidism
Brain-thyroid link
Thyroid gland

Definition

The thyroid gland is located in the base of the neck on both sides of the lower part of the voice box (larynx) and upper part of the wind pipe (trachea). The thyroid produces chemicals (hormones) that help the body control metabolism. Thyroid hormone is also produced in response to another hormone secreted by the pituitary gland.

There are four main types of thyroid disease:

Hyperthyroidism -- too much thyroid hormone
Hypothyroidism -- too little thyroid hormone
Benign (non-cancerous) thyroid disease
Thyroid cancer

For information about a specific type of thyroid disease see one of the following:

Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid
Chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease)
Colloid nodular goiter
Hyperthyroidism
Hypopituitarism
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism - primary
Hypothyroidism - secondary
Medullary thyroid carcinoma
Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II
Painless (silent) thyroiditis
Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid
Subacute thyroiditis
Thyroid cancer
Congenital goiter

Review date: 10/25/2006

Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, M.D., Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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