The Role of the Thyroid Gland in the Endocrine System
The thyroid gland plays a significant role in the endocrine system by producing hormones that regulate metabolism. Located in the neck, the thyroid gland releases thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones influence almost every cell in the body and are responsible for controlling the rate at which the body uses energy. An imbalance in thyroid hormones can lead to conditions such as hypothyroidism, where the thyroid does not produce enough hormones, and hyperthyroidism, where it produces too many.