The main hormones of the thyroid gland and their importance for the human body

Thyroid gland by right belongs tothe title of one of the most important glands of internal secretion. Thyroid hormones are able to regulate virtually all major metabolic processes, and also affect the formation of bone tissue. That is why any violation of the hormonal balance is fraught with negative consequences for human health. First you need to understand what hormones the thyroid gland produces.

Thyroid hormones are substancesthyroid series, represented in the human body by thyroxine and triiodothyronine. In addition, specialized gland tissues produce a substance called calcitonin, which is responsible for the exchange of calcium.

Thyroid hormones and their basic functions. For the formation of hormonal compoundsa certain amount of iodine is required, as well as an amino acid called tyrosine. With the help of specific peptides, these hormones enter the body's internal fluids and are carried along with the current to all the desired destinations. The regulation of the synthesis of thyroid hormones is carried out by neurohormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary system.

It is worth noting that thyroxine, or as it iscalled, tetraiodothyronine, can not be called chemically active, since, for example, triiodothyronine shows much more activity. By the way, the bulk of this hormone is formed precisely from thyroxine in specialized cells of renal and hepatic tissue.

The importance of these hormones is difficult to overestimate,since they regulate almost all possible processes in the body. For example, they are involved in the processes of growth and differentiation of tissues and cells. They are also able to influence tissues, increasing their need for oxygen. Thyroxine regulates the level of blood pressure and can affect the strength and frequency of contractions of the heart muscle. Thyroid hormones maintain the body's normal temperature, and also affect the processes of disintegration and synthesis of substances.

Thyroxine and triiodothyronine also affectnervous system. For example, they increase motor activity, and also regulate the level of wakefulness and sleep. These substances significantly increase a person's mental activity, and are also responsible for the speed and flow of thought associations.

As for calcitonin, then, as it was alreadyit is said that normal calcium and phosphorus in the tissues of the human body depend on it. In particular, this hormone acts directly on osteoblasts, stimulating their activity and increasing the level of calcium uptake of their blood and other internal fluids. It can also stimulate the activity of osteoclasts. That is why its role in the process of formation and growth of bones is very important.

Possible disorders of hormonal balance. Unfortunately, not always the body managesmaintain a certain level of thyroid hormones. Therefore, often enough patients are diagnosed with diseases that are somehow associated with a violation of the hormonal background.

For example, a deficiency of thyroid hormonescan lead to the development of a disease called myxedema. It is also interesting that such a disease is much more often diagnosed among female representatives, while in men it is found very rarely.

Such a disease is characterized by water disturbancesbalance in the body. Sick people complain of persistent swelling, hair loss and alopecia, some fluctuations in body temperature. In addition, the signs of myxedema are pathological obesity and some problems on the part of the mental system.

Excess hormones significantly increase the level of cleavage of protein compounds. The result is a rapid heart beat, profuse sweating and warmth, and a sharp weight loss.