Hashimoto’s disease is a disease of the thyroid gland; a part of the endocrine system. The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck. The endocrine system is responsible for all the chemical interactions in our body e.g. hormones. This is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the cells of the thyroid gland. It results in the inflammation and destruction of the gland, resulting in hypothyroidism. [3]
Normal functioning of the thyroid gland:
A healthy thyroid gland releases the correct levels of Triiodothyronine (T3) Thyroxine (T4) into the blood stream. The thyroid gland interacts with two glands in the brain called the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands which regulate release a hormone, TSH, which signals the thyroid to release the precise amount of T3 and T4 to maintain balance. Doctors commonly measure the level of TSH if when checking thyroid function. If the level is too high or too low, there is a problem. [1] …show more content…
The thyroid is the part of the endocrine systems where hormones are secreted (T3 and T4) that determining the metabolic rate of the body tissues. It controls how fast our body uses up oxygen and produces waste materials. In Hashimoto’s disease an autoimmune process slowly inflames and destructs the thyroid gland resulting in enlargement and malfunctioning of thyroid hormone T4 (thyroxine).