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Thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), are produced by the thyroid gland in the neck. Their synthesis involves adding iodine to the amino acid tyrosine, which is part of a protein called thyroglobulin.123

These hormones are crucial for regulating the body's metabolism and growth, influencing oxygen consumption and heat production in cells. Thyroxine acts as a precursor, largely converted to the more active triiodothyronine in tissues. The production of thyroid hormones is controlled by hormones from the pituitary and hypothalamus in a negative feedback loop. Imbalances in thyroid hormone levels can lead to conditions like hyperthyroidism (excess production) or hypothyroidism (deficient production).2314

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