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Absorption
The process of absorbing or assimilating substances into cells or across the tissues and organs through diffusion or osmosis, as in absorption of nutrients by the digestive system, or absorption of drugs into the bloodstream.
Anemia
The condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. The oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is, therefore, decreased.
Antibody
An immunoglobulin, a specialized immune protein, produced because of the introduction of an antigen into the body, and which possesses the ability to combine with the very antigen that triggered its production.
Asymptomatic
Without symptoms.
Autoantibody
An antibody directed against the patient's own body tissue.
Autoimmune disease
An illness that occurs when the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organization within the body that is designed normally to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, including infectious agents.
Autoimmune
Pertaining to autoimmunity, a misdirected immune response that occurs when the immune system goes awry and attacks the body itself.
Cholesterol
A soft, waxy substance manufactured by the body and used in the production of hormones, bile acid, and vitamin D. It is present in all parts of the body, including the nervous system, muscle, skin, liver, intestines, and heart. Cholesterol regulates membrane fluidity, functions as a precursor molecule in various metabolic pathways and as a constituent of low-density lipoproteins may cause arteriosclerosis.
Constipation
Infrequent (and frequently incomplete) bowel movements. The opposite of diarrhea.
Depression
A potentially serious mental health condition that involves the body, mind and emotions, often characterized by a profound change in mood and/or a profound loss of interest in once-pleasurable things or activities. Depression can affect the way you eat, sleep and function; how you feel about yourself and others; and what think about the world around you.
Diabetes
Elevations of blood sugar due to deficient insulin production or action.
Endocrine System
The bodily system that consists of the endocrine glands and functions to regulate body activities. The major glands that make up the human endocrine system include the:
- hypothalamus
- pituitary gland
- thyroid
- parathyroids
- adrenal glands
- pineal body
- reproductive glands (which include the ovaries and testes)
Genetic
Having to do with genes and genetic information.
Goiter
An abnormal swelling in the neck caused by an enlarged thyroid gland. It can become quite large. This can occur in any type of thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer. However, many goiters develop with normal thyroid hormone levels and do not require treatment.
Heart rate
The number of heart beats per unit time, usually per minute. The heart rate is based on the number of contractions of the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart). The heart rate may be too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia).
Hormone
A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs.
Hyperthyroid
Excess of thyroid hormone resulting from an overactive thyroid gland (or taking too much thyroid hormone).
Hypothalamus
The area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst.
Hypothyroid
Deficiency of thyroid hormone which is normally made by the thyroid gland which is located in the front of the neck.
Immune system
A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing us from everything foreign to us, and for protecting us against infections and foreign substances. The immune system works to seek and kill invaders.
Inflammation
A basic way in which the body reacts to infection , irritation or other injury, the key feature being redness, warmth, swelling and pain . Inflammation is now recognized as a type of nonspecific immune response.
Iodine deficiency
Iodine is a natural requirement of our diets. Iodine deficiency can lead to inadequate production of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Since the addition of iodine to table salt, iodine deficiency is rarely seen in the United States.
Iodine
An essential element in the diet used by the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones.
Metabolism
The whole range of biochemical processes that occur within us (or any living organism). Metabolism consists both of anabolism and catabolism (the buildup and breakdown of substances, respectively). The term is commonly used to refer specifically to the breakdown of food and its transformation into energy.
Myxedema
Advanced hypothyroidism. This condition is rare but when it occurs it can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms include low blood pressure, decreased breathing, decreased body temperature, unresponsiveness and even coma. In some cases, myxedema can be fatal.
Normal range
By convention, the normal range for whatever (a particular test, condition, symptom, behavior, etc.) is set to cover ninety-five percent (95%) of all values from the general population. Five percent (5%) of results consequently fall outside the normal range. Values that prove normal can therefore sometimes be outside the normal range.
Osteoporosis
Thinning of the bones with reduction in bone mass due to depletion of calcium and bone protein. Osteoporosis predisposes a person to fractures, which are often slow to heal and heal poorly. It is more common in older adults, particularly post-menopausal women; in patients on steroids; and in those who take steroidal drugs. Unchecked osteoporosis can lead to changes in posture, physical abnormality (particularly the form of hunched back known colloquially as "dowager's hump"), and decreased mobility.
Palpitations
Unpleasant sensations of irregular and/or forceful beating of the heart. In some patients with palpitations, no heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms can be found. In others, palpitations result from abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Arrhythmias refer to heartbeats that are too slow, too rapid, irregular, or too early.
Pituitary gland
The main endocrine gland. It is a small structure in the head. It is called the master gland because it produces hormones that control other glands and many body functions including growth. The pituitary consists of the anterior and posterior pituitary.
Radioactive Thyroid Scan
An image taken of the thyroid gland after radioactive iodine is taken by mouth. This radioactive medium collects or stays in the thyroid gland before it is excreted in the urine. With the use of the radioactive scanning, you can determine the shape and the activity of your thyroid gland.
Subclinical hypothyroidism
When an individual is asymptomatic but a blood test indicates low thyroid function.
Thyrocalcitonin
A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that lowers the levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood and promotes the formation of bone. Also called calcitonin.
Thyroid gland
A gland that makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate at which food is converted into energy. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism) in the body. Thyroid hormones also help children grow and develop.
Thyroid hormones
Chemical substances made by the thyroid gland, which is located in the front of the neck. This gland uses iodine to make thyroid hormones, which are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism), and are involved in the circadian rhythms that govern sleep, among other essential functions.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland in response to signals from the hypothalamus gland in the brain. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) promotes the growth of the thyroid gland in the neck and stimulates it to produce more thyroid hormones. When there is an excessive amount of thyroid hormones, the pituitary gland stops producing TSH, reducing thyroid hormone production. This mechanism maintains a relatively constant level of thyroid hormones circulating in the blood.
Thyroiditis
Inflammation of the thyroid gland.
Thyroxine (T4)
A hormone made by the thyroid gland that has four iodine molecules attached to its molecular structure. T4 and other thyroid hormones help regulate growth and control the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism) in the body.
Triiodothyronine (T3)
A hormone made by the thyroid gland. T3 has three iodine molecules attached to its molecular structure.
Ultrasound
A diagnostic test used to determine the structure and consistency of the thyroid gland and if thyroid nodules are benign or malignant.
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