What is the
thyroid gland?
The endocrine
system is responsible all hormone production, and therefore all of functions
that hormones regulate in the body. The endocrine system includes the
hypothalamus, pituitary gland, pineal gland, adrenal gland, pancreas,
ovaries/testes, parathyroid gland and thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is at
the base of the neck and is split into two lobes, one located on either side of
the windpipe. It is responsible for producing three hormones that are important
for regulating many metabolic processes in the body.
The main hormones
produced by the thyroid gland are calcitonin, T3 (tri-iodothyrionine) and T4 (thyroxine).
Calcitonin is involved in controlling the tightly regulated calcium levels in
the blood.
