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...of which are extremely vital. The thyroid hormone is important for the regulation of growth. It is vital in the development of the body and also aids many biochemical processes in the body. There are many other processes which involve the thyroid indirectly. Since the thyroid gland is involved in so many functions in the body, the consequences of the malfunctioning of the gland are widespread.

The thyroid gland is located in the neck, right under the Adam's apple. This is a small organ, shaped like a butterfly. It requires iodine in order to synthesize hormones. Though it produces several hormones, the most important of these are thyroxine and triiodothyronine, known as T4 and T3 respectively. T3 is the hormone that is responsible for most of the biological activity in the body. It also affects our metabolism.

The regulation of the thyroid gland is done by another endocrine gland known as the pituitary gland. This is a complex network because the pituitary gland is itself regulated by another gland known as the hypothalamus. The thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) produced by the hypothalamus, regulates the production of the thyroid stimulating thyroid (TSH).

When a person suffers from hypothyroid, the TSH levels are usually running low. There are several other causes of hypothyroidism. This condition usually follows after other medical conditions like lymphocytic thyroiditis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or the destruction of the thyroid because of any kind of surgery or an exposure to radioactive iodine. A disease of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus can also lead to a fall in the production of TSH which is required in order to regulate the synthesis of the thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency is another cause for hypothyroidism.

The symptoms of hypothyroid are many. The metabolism slows down to quite an extent because of the unavailability of the thyroid hormones. Due to hypothyroidism, dry skin is also very common. Some of the other symptoms are fatigue, sudden weight gain, intolerance to cold, lack of energy and a constant need to sleep, constipation, depression, cramping of muscles, change in the texture and condition of the hair, increase in the levels of cholesterol, swelling of the limbs, and pain and aches in different parts of the body.

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