Thyroid diseases

Endocrine glands

Primary and secondary

hypothyroidism

Brain-thyroid link

Thyroid gland

Definition:
The thyroid gland is located in the base of the neck on both sides of the lower part of the larynx
(voice box) and upper part of the trachea (wind pipe). The gland produces thyroid hormone in
response to stimulation by a hormone from the pituitary gland. Thyroid hormone acts throughout
the body to regulate metabolism.
Thyroid diseases can be broadly divided into the following categories:

Overproduction of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism)

Underproduction of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism)

Benign (noncancerous) thyroid disease

Thyroid cancer

For information about a specific type of thyroid disease see one of the following:

Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid

Chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease)

Colloid nodular goiter

Hyperthyroidism

Hypopituitarism

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism - primary

Hypothyroidism - secondary

Medullary thyroid carcinoma

Painless (silent) thyroiditis

Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid

Subacute thyroiditis

Thyroid cancer

Congenital goiter

Review Date: 11/9/2004

Reviewed By: Stephanie Fish, M.D., Division of Endocrinology, University of Pennsylvania
Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.