Essay | Hypothyroidism

The name "thyroid" comes from the Greek meaning of the word shield. The thyroid is a small gland located toward the front section of the neck. This butterfly shaped structure contains two lobes that are situated on both sides of the upper trachea and to the lower part of the larynx. The purpose of this gland is to produce a hormone called thyroxine. This hormone controls the rate of metabolism, which controls all of the chemical and physical processes that occur in the body's cells to allow growth and maintain body functions.

Hypothyroidism, also referred to as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce adequate amounts of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. The thyroid hormone helps maintain normal cholesterol balance, heart function, and brain function, along with controlling the body's rate of metabolism. Unfortunately, almost every system of the body is affected by hypothyroidism.

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