The thyroid gland plays an important role in maintaining the body’s metabolism by secreting two hormones, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), Certain diseases however may upset the functioning of the thyroid gland, resulting in high levels of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism) or low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism). The prevalence of hypothyroidism is growing globally and one of the most common causes is an autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (discussed below).
