Thyroid hormones

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Thyroid hormones

Thyroid hormones are made by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland makes and releases two thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid hormones affect every cell and all the organs of the body. They:

Control the rate at which your body burns calories. This affects whether you gain or lose weight.
Can slow down or speed up your heartbeat.
Can raise or lower your body temperature.
Change how fast food moves through your digestive tract.
Affect muscle strength.
Control how quickly your body replaces dying cells.

The pituitary gland (located in the brain) makes, stores, and releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). When TSH is secreted by the pituitary gland, it causes the thyroid gland to release more T3 and T4.

Credits

Author	Colleen Cronin
Author	Christine Wendt, R.D., L.D.
Editor	Renée Spengler, RN, BSN
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Lisa Shaw
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Last Updated	December 20, 2005

Last updated:	December 20, 2005
Author:	Christine Wendt, R.D., L.D.
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Lisa Shaw

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