US Medical Term · anatomy
Thyroid Gland
Glándula tiroides
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Thyroid Gland |
| Spanish (Español) | Glándula tiroides |
| Chinese (中文) | 甲狀腺 |
| Korean (한국어) | 갑상선 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Tuyến giáp |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Glandula tiroide |
| Portuguese (Português) | Glândula tireoide |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ต่อมไทรอยด์ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 甲状腺 |
What it means
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck, just below the Adam's apple. It produces hormones — mainly thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) — that regulate your metabolism, meaning how fast your body burns energy. Thyroid hormones also affect heart rate, body temperature, growth, and mood. The pituitary gland in your brain controls the thyroid by releasing thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) causes weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and anxiety. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) causes fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance. Thyroid nodules, goiters (enlarged thyroid), and thyroid cancer are all conditions that affect this gland.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My blood test showed my thyroid gland is underactive, so my doctor prescribed hormone pills.
Mi análisis de sangre mostró que mi glándula tiroides está poco activa, así que mi doctor me recetó pastillas hormonales.
I have a lump in my neck that the doctor thinks is on my thyroid gland.
Tengo un bulto en el cuello que el doctor cree que está en mi glándula tiroides.
How often do I need blood tests to check my thyroid gland levels?
¿Cada cuánto necesito análisis de sangre para verificar los niveles de mi glándula tiroides?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026