Thyroid and pituitary glands are part of the endocrinal system of the human body. This endocrinal system is responsible for secreting hormones directly into the blood stream. The thyroid and pituitary glands work in tandem and are interdependent. They also support each other in the processes that the body needs to carry out. For example, whenever the thyroid is under active, the pituitary tries to correct it by releasing an anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates the function of the thyroid gland.
Any thyroid treatment should ideally start with a physical examination to ascertain whether the thyroid gland is enlarged or not. This is done to rule out goiter, which is an abnormally enlarged thyroid that can occur due to iodine deficiency.
In cases of hypothyroidism or an under active thyroid, it is imperative to establish the type of hypothyroidism prevalent in the patient. Generally speaking, the condition of an under active thyroid can be classified as:
* Primary hypothyroidism – a condition that develops in the thyroid itself.
* Central hypothyroidism – a condition that implies malfunction in the pituitary gland as well.
