The thyroid is a gland present in your neck region that has a butterfly shape. It produces hormones essential for the body’s functioning. The major hormone that the thyroid gland releases into the bloodstream is thyroxine. The primary thyroxine function in the body is its effect on the metabolic processes of the body; the other functions include supporting the health of the heart and muscles, the growth of the brain, and bone maintenance.Thyroxine (T4) is the more passive form of thyroid hormone and is converted into its more active form, triiodothyronine (T3), by the body.
Now, let’s discuss the importance of T4 and its functions.
T4 affects the functioning of almost every part of the body; therefore, is considered the key thyroid hormone. The role of thyroxine is to facilitate the following tasks in your body:
Since every organ is affected by thyroxine hormone function, maintaining healthy levels of this hormone is essential.
Almost all organ systems in the body are impacted by the T4 hormone, including the heart, central nervous system (CNS), autonomic nervous system, bone, digestive system, and metabolism.
T4’s effect on the CNS is crucial. It is essential for the brain development of children throughout the early stages of pregnancy. Thyroid hormone also aids in the maturation of the brain and cognitive function.
T4 causes catecholamines (the hormones responsible for the fight or flight response)6 to be more permissive. It helps in regulating the heart rate and blood pressure.
Another role of thyroxine is to manage how quickly food passes through your digestive system. Constipation and anorexia (eating disorders) are the most typical symptoms of hypothyroidism. Meanwhile, hyperthyroidism frequently results in diarrhoea and an increase in appetite.
The T4 hormone produces an increase in muscle strength by increasing the production of type 2 muscle fibres that can contract quickly and forcefully. Thyroid hormones and growth hormones work together to promote bone growth in children.
In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland produces too little thyroxine. It could be brought on by autoimmune disorders, inadequate iodine consumption, pollutants (sometimes referred to as endocrine disruptors), or even by taking specific drugs.
Untreated hypothyroidism may result in:
This leads to a decrease in BMR, resulting in weight gain, decreased appetite and fatigue.1
Mental disability and stunted growth in children (if deficiency is present before birth or during infancy) can be observed since thyroid hormones are crucial for both the physical and mental development of the foetus. Impaired memory and mood alterations can occur in adults 1, 4
Due to a lower metabolic rate, there is less heat production by the body, which leads to an inability to tolerate cold.
Other symptoms include:
Thyrotoxicosis occurs when there is an excessive amount of thyroxine in the blood. This may be brought on by hyperthyroidism (excess thyroid hormone production), thyroid gland inflammation that releases too many hormones into the bloodstream, Graves’ disease (an autoimmune disease), or a tumour of the thyroid gland (Plummer’s adenoma or toxic nodular goitre).
Hyperthyroidism causes:
The increase in BMR results in weight loss, tiredness, fatigue, excessive sweating and increased hunger.
Due to increased contraction of the heart, fast or irregular heartbeats, palpitations, hypertension, arrhythmia or heart failure can occur.
High thyroxine levels can lead to restlessness, anxiety and depression, unstable emotional state, insomnia, tremors and hyperactive reflexes.
Other symptoms include:
Thyroxine regulates multiple processes in the body and is responsible for maintaining overall health in children as well as adults.
Thyroxine is an important hormone that has an impact on many areas of your body. You may occasionally have too little or too much thyroid hormone. To find out if your thyroid hormone levels are normal, a few blood tests (thyroid function tests), which includes the T4 test, will be required by your healthcare provider. For quick and accurate results, book your tests at Orange Health Labs and get them done at your doorstep.
The thyroid is a gland present in your neck region that has a butterfly shape. It produces hormones essential for the body’s functioning. The major hormone that the thyroid gland releases into the bloodstream is thyroxine. The primary thyroxine function in the body is its effect on the metabolic processes of the body; the other functions include supporting the health of the heart and muscles, the growth of the brain, and bone maintenance.Thyroxine (T4) is the more passive form of thyroid hormone and is converted into its more active form, triiodothyronine (T3), by the body.
Now, let’s discuss the importance of T4 and its functions.
T4 affects the functioning of almost every part of the body; therefore, is considered the key thyroid hormone. The role of thyroxine is to facilitate the following tasks in your body:
Since every organ is affected by thyroxine hormone function, maintaining healthy levels of this hormone is essential.
Almost all organ systems in the body are impacted by the T4 hormone, including the heart, central nervous system (CNS), autonomic nervous system, bone, digestive system, and metabolism.
T4’s effect on the CNS is crucial. It is essential for the brain development of children throughout the early stages of pregnancy. Thyroid hormone also aids in the maturation of the brain and cognitive function.
T4 causes catecholamines (the hormones responsible for the fight or flight response)6 to be more permissive. It helps in regulating the heart rate and blood pressure.
Another role of thyroxine is to manage how quickly food passes through your digestive system. Constipation and anorexia (eating disorders) are the most typical symptoms of hypothyroidism. Meanwhile, hyperthyroidism frequently results in diarrhoea and an increase in appetite.
The T4 hormone produces an increase in muscle strength by increasing the production of type 2 muscle fibres that can contract quickly and forcefully. Thyroid hormones and growth hormones work together to promote bone growth in children.
In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland produces too little thyroxine. It could be brought on by autoimmune disorders, inadequate iodine consumption, pollutants (sometimes referred to as endocrine disruptors), or even by taking specific drugs.
Untreated hypothyroidism may result in:
This leads to a decrease in BMR, resulting in weight gain, decreased appetite and fatigue.1
Mental disability and stunted growth in children (if deficiency is present before birth or during infancy) can be observed since thyroid hormones are crucial for both the physical and mental development of the foetus. Impaired memory and mood alterations can occur in adults 1, 4
Due to a lower metabolic rate, there is less heat production by the body, which leads to an inability to tolerate cold.
Other symptoms include:
Thyrotoxicosis occurs when there is an excessive amount of thyroxine in the blood. This may be brought on by hyperthyroidism (excess thyroid hormone production), thyroid gland inflammation that releases too many hormones into the bloodstream, Graves’ disease (an autoimmune disease), or a tumour of the thyroid gland (Plummer’s adenoma or toxic nodular goitre).
Hyperthyroidism causes:
The increase in BMR results in weight loss, tiredness, fatigue, excessive sweating and increased hunger.
Due to increased contraction of the heart, fast or irregular heartbeats, palpitations, hypertension, arrhythmia or heart failure can occur.
High thyroxine levels can lead to restlessness, anxiety and depression, unstable emotional state, insomnia, tremors and hyperactive reflexes.
Other symptoms include:
Thyroxine regulates multiple processes in the body and is responsible for maintaining overall health in children as well as adults.
Thyroxine is an important hormone that has an impact on many areas of your body. You may occasionally have too little or too much thyroid hormone. To find out if your thyroid hormone levels are normal, a few blood tests (thyroid function tests), which includes the T4 test, will be required by your healthcare provider. For quick and accurate results, book your tests at Orange Health Labs and get them done at your doorstep.