What does the thyroid have to do with the brain?

July 26, 2023

What does the thyroid have to do with the brain?

The thyroid is butterfly-shaped glandular tissue resting on the trachea in the lower front of the throat. It produces and secretes hormones that control the body’s metabolic rate – how efficiently the body transforms food into energy. Of course, all cells in the body require energy to function so the thyroid’s activity affects all aspects of health, especially all things having to do with the many functions of the brain. Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid overproduces hormones; when there is under-production, it is called hypothyroidism. Either condition may cause the thyroid to become enlarged – a condition called a goiter.

The thyroid is controlled by the pituitary gland, a pea-size structure that dangles like a teeny punching bag from the base of the brain.

I’ve discussed in previous posts how susceptible the brain is to injuries and how the skull can be part of the problem, providing a generally immovable object for the gelatinous brain to splat against. There’s another bone within the skull that can contribute to the problem: the sphenoid. The sphenoid is one of the more complicated bones in the body and is part of the rugged “floor” the brain rests on.

When all parts of the brain are where they belong, the pituitary sits in a crater in the sphenoid called the Sella turcica or Turkish saddle. Should the bones of the skull shift, the pituitary can be pinched. Why would that matter? Although just a tiny, pendulous bleb of tissue, the pituitary is referred to as the “master gland”. If you think about the vast influence of the thyroid and factor in the pituitary’s control over the thyroid, you get an idea of just how bad things can go for someone when these glands don’t function properly.

Background info,

#Acquired brain injuries, #bones and brains don’t mix, #goiter, #Hormonal, #Metabolic

Posted by:

Kayle Sandberg-Lewis, LMT, MA, BCN-Fellow

I have a master’s degree in Behavioral Medicine – an interdisciplinary concentration combining Health Psychology, Psychophysiology, Learning Theory and Curriculum Design. What it boils down to is the study of how our health is affected by our behavior and how to help people learn to modify that behavior to live healthier lives. Most of my work centers on maximizing brain performance through the use of applied psychophysiology including a variety of forms of neurofeedback or brainwave training. I’ve worked extensively with people of all ages, many of whom have had brain injuries. While there have been tremendous gains in understanding the brain, most lay people don’t understand the effects of neurological injuries. My goal in creating this blog is to share my insights from my education, people I have worked with, and my own experience because I too have experienced brain injuries.

disclaimer

This is a work of non-fiction depicting actual events in the life of the author, presented as truthfully as recollection permits. In order to protect the privacy of the very real people involved, names and other identifying characteristics have often been changed.

Information regarding health represents the opinions of the author and are not intended as medical advice. Consult your health care provider for individualized care.

My Life in Brain Injuries