The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front base of your neck that produces thyroid hormones T4 and T3 and releases them directly into your bloodstream. These chemicals regulate the functioning of virtually all cells in your body. Thyroid hormones disperse throughout your body to regulate metabolism and most bodily functions. In your brain, T3 and T4 regulate neurotransmitters implicated in mood, appetite, sexual function, and emotions. The manufacture of thyroid hormone requires several micro-nutrients, including iodine and selenium. Selenium is a trace element, which is crucial for adequate thyroid hormone production. 20% of the T3 hormone that your body produces comes from your thyroid gland and the remainder comes from the conversion of T4 to T3 in your organs. The thyroid gland is regulated by the pituitary gland, or “master gland.” The pituitary gland delegates how much thyroid hormone the thyroid should produce. It emits signals to the thyroid gland using the right amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is the hormone that tells the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone
