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.
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: December 3, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism | |
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