Thyroid hormones are essential to the way cells and organs operate. A healthy thyroid releases the correct amount of hormones to regulate metabolism, which provides energy.

The major hormones the thyroid gland secretes are thyroxine, known as T4, and triiodothyronine, called T3. These two hormones monitor and regulate the rate at which the body burns calories from foods. The thyroid helps break down food ingredients for energy, and can change the speed of food moving through the digestive tract.

The thyroid gland receives signals from the brain to control the amount of hormones released. The hypothalamus in the brain alerts the nearby pituitary gland when hormone levels become too low by releasing thyroid stimulating hormones, or TSH. The pituitary then releases TSH and the thyroid responds by secreting more T3 and T4.

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About 80 percent of the hormones released by the thyroid are T4, but T3 hormones are stronger, according to EndocrineWeb. The thyroid also creates calcitonin to assist in controlling blood calcium levels.

The thyroid hormones are also involved with how fast the heart beats, body temperature, muscle strength, and the replenishment of dying cells.

The TSH level lets the thyroid know when there is not enough or too much thyroid hormone. Low or high levels can affect the way the body responds, causing symptoms that may be misdiagnosed.

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Some symptoms of irregular hormone secretion might mimic other causes before the thyroid is singled out. For example, fatigue, weight gain, menstrual irregularities, depression, or constipation are some of the symptoms from an underactive thyroid.

Known as hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid is often treated with T4 medication to boost low hormone levels, according to Hormone Health Network. Doctors regularly monitor hormone levels of patients with hypothyroidism and readjust medication to maintain proper levels.

Hyperthyroidism produces too much of the hormone from an overactive thyroid. Symptoms include anxiety, increased sweating, vision problems, muscle weakness, menstrual irregularities, and diarrhea. Medication is used to reduce the amount of hormones released by the thyroid.

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