Thyroxine is one of the most important hormones in the human body. Its main function is to regulate the body's metabolism. Therefore, the levels and function of the thyroxine hormone need to be maintained to remain normal, so that the body's metabolism can run well.
Thyroxine hormone or T4 is one of two types of thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland in the neck. Another type of thyroid hormone is triiodothyronine or T3. The production of T4 and T3 hormones is regulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, which is produced by the brain).
These hormones play an important role in regulating the function of various organs of the body and maintaining the health of our body as a whole.
Various Functions of the Thyroxine Hormone
Thyroxine hormone is actually an inactive form of thyroid hormone. When needed by cells and body tissues, the hormone thyroxine will be converted into its active form, namely the hormone T3. This T3 hormone acts directly on the cells and tissues of the body.
Thyroxine hormone in active form is what will work to regulate various functions of the body's organs and ensure the body remains healthy. The following are some of the functions of the thyroxine hormone in the body:
1. Regulate body metabolism
Metabolism is the process of forming energy and the body's natural heat by all cells and tissues of the body. If the metabolism is problematic, then the performance of the body's organs will automatically be disrupted.
Therefore, metabolism needs to be regulated so that it can take place in a stable manner. Thyroxine hormone is what plays a role in regulating how fast or slow metabolism takes place.
2. Maintain heart function and work
The heart works non-stop to pump blood that carries nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Sometimes organs or body tissues need more blood flow. To regulate this process, the hormone thyroxine works by strengthening the heart pump so that blood flow is adequate.
3. Maintain brain function
The hormone thyroxine also functions to ensure the brain remains awake, alert, and sensitive to the surrounding conditions and stimuli received by the body. When the hormones thyroxine and T3 are reduced, the body will become more easily sleepy and have difficulty concentrating.
4. Maintain the function of reproductive organs
Thyroxine hormone has an important role in regulating the performance of the reproductive organs in men and women.
Thanks to the hormone thyroxine, a woman's body can ovulate and menstruate regularly every month. Whereas in men, the hormone thyroxine plays a role in stimulating the hormone that regulates the process of sperm formation.
5. Stimulates growth hormone production
The hormone thyroxine plays an important role in the growth of the fetal brain in the womb and ensures the baby's growth and development runs smoothly after birth.
In children, the hormone thyroxine also works to help the formation of growth hormone. Thanks to this hormone, the body size and weight of the child can increase and they can experience puberty.
Thyroxine deficiency and excess
Too little or too much of the hormone thyroxine in the body can cause health problems. The following are various effects that can be experienced by the body when there is a deficiency or excess of the hormone thyroxine:
Too much thyroxine
The condition when the body has too much thyroxine hormone in the blood is called thyrotoxicosis. The signs are as follows:
- Goiter or swelling in the neck due to an enlarged thyroid gland.
- Irregular menstrual cycle.
- Reduced weight.
- Not resistant to temperature or hot weather.
- Fatigue.
- Emotions and moods that change quickly, for example being anxious and more irritable.
- The heart beats faster.
- Digestive disorders, such as more frequent bowel movements or stomach discomfort.
- Excessive sweating.
- Hands shaking.
Thyrotoxicosis can occur due to several conditions, namely thyroiditis or inflammation of the thyroid gland, hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, use of thyroid hormone stimulating drugs.
Thyroxine deficiency
The body can also produce too little of the hormone thyroxine. This condition is known as hypothyroidism. Some of the symptoms are:
- Fatigue and often sleepy.
- Weight gain.
- The face swells.
- Not resistant to temperature or cold air.
- Joint and muscle pain.
- Constipation or difficulty defecating.
- Dry skin.
- Hair becomes dry and thin.
- Irregular menstruation.
- Fertility problems.
- Heart rate slows down.
Hypothyroidism can be caused by several conditions or diseases, such as Hashimoto's disease, congenital hypothyroidism, surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid, radiation therapy to the thyroid gland, iodine deficiency, and side effects of medications, such as drugs to reduce thyroid hormone.
If you feel any symptoms that indicate a disturbance in the amount of thyroid hormone, you should see a doctor for this condition.
To diagnose disorders of the thyroid hormone and thyroxine hormone, the doctor will perform several tests, such as blood tests, thyroid ultrasound, to a scan of the thyroid gland that uses radioactive iodine.
After the doctor finds the cause and diagnosis, then treatment will be given so that your thyroxine hormone returns to normal.
Steps to Maintain Thyroxine Hormone Function
The following are some steps you can take to maintain a healthy thyroid gland:
- Eat a nutritionally balanced diet, such as fruit, vegetables, dairy and dairy products, and seafood.
- Reduce foods that contain bad fats and simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, fast food, and processed foods.
- Avoid consumption of offal, such as the intestines, tripe, or spleen of animals.
- Consume iodized salt in moderation, which is no more than 2 grams per day.
- Do not smoke.
- Exercise regularly.
In addition to the steps above, regular health checks to the doctor are also an important step to take to maintain the health of the thyroid gland.