Thyroid gland

Thyroid is a butterfly shaped organ (or gland) located in the front of the neck, just below the voice box. Like the liver, heart, kidney and brain, the thyroid has a specific function and role to play. In a normal adult, the thyroid normally weighs 15 to 25 grams. It is known that, it starts functioning even before birth. Thyroid secretes two metabolically important hormones, called T3 and T4, which are vital for physical and mental growth.T3 and T4, the thyroid hormones, control various metabolic activities essential for energy, growth and development of the body. These two hormones are required every minute by every organ, tissue and cell. The thyroid, should secrete them in specific quantities, and if more or less than the required quantity is produced, certain health complications arise. These complications need to be diagnosed and treated in time.

Who should be tested for thyroid?

Some individuals are more likely than others to have thyroid problem. These include
Women above 40 years of age,
Women who have recently given birth,
Those having high cholesterol,
Those who have lost or gained 2 kilos in 2-3 months,
Those who feel exhausted and fatigued,
Those with abnormalities in menstrual history,
Those suffering from infertility,
Those with a family history of thyroid disease.