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.
