Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Functions Of The Adrenal & Thyroid Glands

The adrenal and thyroid glands are located in the throat and above the kidneys, respectively. These glands produce hormones, which are chemicals that help give orders throughout the body. The adrenal and thyroid glands actually work together, the hormones they produce feeding off each other and combining to regulate the activities of your body.


Adrenal Glands


The adrenal glands are located just above your kidneys. They look like small pyramids. The adrenal glands are responsible for secreting a number of hormones into your blood stream. Adrenaline, for instance, heightens your awareness in times of danger and allows you to perform better physically. The adrenal glands are also responsible for making corticosterone and hydrocortisone, which are two hormones that affect the immune system and help the body properly use fats, nutrients and other materials.


Thyroid Gland


The thyroid gland, which is located in the throat, produces its own set of hormones. The hormones produced by the thyroid gland are triiodothyronine, or T3 and thyroxine, or T4. T3 and T4 help the body make energy and regulate temperature at around 98.6 degrees F. T3 and T4 are also essential to normal organ function, and both are used by all of the body's organs.


Connection


A documented link exists between the adrenal and thyroid glands and the hormones they release into the body. According to thyroid-info.com, when you have a difficulty with your thyroid output, called low thyroid, it can be worsened by the low output of hormones from the adrenal gland. The reverse may also be true, that thyroid problems can cause problems in the adrenal gland, or exacerbate existing problems.







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