Thyroid Disease: System Analysis

According to Lanzisera, thyroid disease affects four systems and two organs. The two organs affected are the thyroid gland and the adrenal gland. The thyroid gland operates the body’s metabolic rate. A patient with hyperthyroidism experiences excessive weight loss; however, patients with hypothyroidism gain weight. The adrenal gland is an essential part of the thyroid gland function. The four systems that are influenced by thyroid disease are the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, reproductive system, and the digestive system. When the cardiovascular system is damaged, it can trigger changes in a patient’s blood pressure. Patients with hyperthyroidism tend to experience hypertension (high blood pressure). With hypothyroidism, the patient will suffer a low …show more content…
This gland regulates several “vital body functions” (Brady, 2015). The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system, which consists of glands that “produce, store, and release hormones into the bloodstream so they can reach the body’s cells” (Brady, 2015). The thyroid gland generates Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) from iodine which develops from foods. The hypothalamus and the pituitary (glands in the brain) “communicate to maintain T3 and T4 balance” (Brady, 2015). The hypothalamus produces a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) releasing hormone (TRH) which signals the Pituitary gland. The Pituitary gland communicates with the thyroid gland on the quantity of T3 and T4 to produce. This will either decrease or increase the discharge magnitude of TSH. More TSH is liberated from the thyroid gland “when T3 and T4 levels are low in the blood” (Brady, 2015). When T3 and T4 levels are high, less TSH is ejected by the thyroid gland slowing down the production of hormones. T3 and T4 are transferred to every cell in the body through the blood stream. They also “regulate the speed with which the cell’s metabolisms work” (Brady,