Understanding thyroid tests
The thyroid gland is a vitally important endocrine (hormone) gland that is mainly involved in the body’s energy metabolism. It is located at the front of the neck, below the voice box, and is butterfly-shaped. The thyroid gland produces the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), among other things.
These thyroid have various functions: They are responsible for the metabolism, growth and development of the body. The production of the thyroid is regulated by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland makes a hormone called TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). TSH not only stimulates the production of thyroid – it also influences the size of the thyroid gland.
The production of TSH, in turn, is inhibited by thyroid . The system can be compared to a thermostat, which makes sure that the room is kept at a certain temperature. So the concentration of thyroid in the blood is usually fairly constant.
There are different tests and examinations to check whether the thyroid gland is functioning normally and whether its surface, shape and size are normal.