A butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces hormones regulating metabolism, growth, and development. It controls how quickly the body uses energy and affects virtually every organ system.
From Greek 'thyreos' meaning shield and 'eidos' meaning form, named in the 1650s for its shield-like shape. The term was coined by anatomist Thomas Wharton, who noted its resemblance to ancient Greek shields.
The thyroid is like your body's metabolic thermostat - it determines whether you run hot or cold, fast or slow! It's also incredibly hungry for iodine, concentrating this element more than any other tissue, which is why iodine deficiency causes thyroid problems and why we add iodine to salt.
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