• Thyroid Disorders
• Hypothyroidism

What’s a Thyroid Gland and Can You Live Without One?

Published: September 04, 2025
Updated: September 04, 2025
4 mins

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of your neck. Despite its size, it plays a huge role in your health. This little organ produces hormones that influence how your body uses energy, affecting everything from metabolism and heart rate to mood and body temperature.

When the thyroid isn’t working properly, it can disrupt the balance of many systems in the body, leading to a wide range of health concerns. Because of this, understanding how the thyroid functions – and what can happen when it doesn’t – is essential for maintaining overall well-being.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what the thyroid gland is, where it’s located, how it interacts with other organs, the conditions that can affect it, and what treatment options exist if problems arise.

What Does the Thyroid Do?

The thyroid’s main job is to produce two important hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones circulate through your bloodstream and help control how your body uses energy. In other words, they act like the body’s internal thermostat and speedometer, keeping essential functions running at the right pace.

Through its hormone production, the thyroid influences metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, digestion, and even how efficiently muscles and organs work. When thyroid hormone levels are out of balance, you may feel it in the form of fatigue, changes in weight, or fluctuations in energy.

The thyroid is also essential for growth and development, particularly in children, where healthy thyroid function supports brain development and physical growth.

How the Thyroid Interacts With Other Organs

The thyroid doesn’t work alone. It's part of a larger communication system called the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. The hypothalamus in the brain signals the pituitary gland to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which tells the thyroid when to produce more or less hormone. This feedback loop helps keep hormone levels balanced and ensures the body runs efficiently.

Because thyroid hormones circulate through the bloodstream, they affect nearly every organ system. The heart relies on them to maintain a steady rhythm and healthy circulation, while the digestive system uses them to regulate the speed of food breakdown and nutrient absorption. 

Muscles and bones need thyroid hormones for strength and turnover, and the skin depends on them for healthy texture and hydration. The reproductive system is also closely linked to thyroid function, with imbalances sometimes leading to changes in menstrual cycles, fertility challenges, or pregnancy complications.

The brain is particularly sensitive to thyroid hormone levels. Proper function supports memory, concentration, and emotional balance, while imbalances can contribute to issues like depression, anxiety, or cognitive fog.

Common Thyroid Problems and Disorders

Because the thyroid is central to so many processes, even small changes in its function can lead to noticeable health issues. Some of the most common thyroid-related problems include:

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid): This happens when the thyroid produces too much hormone, speeding up metabolism. Symptoms can include unintended weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, sweating, and difficulty sleeping.

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): The opposite problem occurs when the thyroid doesn’t make enough hormone, slowing metabolism. People may experience fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, constipation, and brain fog.

Thyroid nodules: These are small lumps or growths that can form within the thyroid. Most are harmless, but some may produce excess hormone or, rarely, be cancerous.

Goiter: An enlarged thyroid gland, which may develop from iodine deficiency, autoimmune disease, or other thyroid conditions. A goiter can cause visible swelling in the neck and sometimes difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid, often caused by autoimmune conditions or viral infections. Depending on the type, it can lead to temporary hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or both.

Thyroid cancer: Although less common, cancer of the thyroid gland does occur. Most cases are highly treatable, especially when detected early.

Autoimmune thyroid diseases: The immune system can mistakenly target the thyroid, leading to long-term problems. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, while Graves’ disease is a frequent cause of hyperthyroidism.

Conditions That Can Affect the Thyroid

Several factors outside of the thyroid itself can influence how well it works. One of the most well-known is iodine intake. The thyroid needs iodine to produce hormones, so both too little and too much can cause problems. Iodine deficiency may lead to goiter and hypothyroidism, while excess iodine can sometimes trigger hyperthyroidism or thyroid inflammation.

Certain medications can also interfere with thyroid function. Drugs used to treat heart conditions, psychiatric disorders, or even other endocrine issues may alter hormone production or absorption, making regular monitoring important for people at risk.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period bring hormonal shifts that can temporarily affect the thyroid. Some women develop an overactive thyroid in early pregnancy or thyroiditis after giving birth, conditions that usually need careful evaluation and, in some cases, treatment. 

Menopause can also influence thyroid function, as changing hormone levels may make symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, or hair thinning more noticeable, highlighting the need for proper thyroid support during this stage of life. LifeMD’s Women’s Health Programs offer comprehensive testing and personalized treatment plans with medication, lifestyle guidance, and continuous tracking for thyroid concerns. Join the waitlist to learn more. 

Environmental factors such as radiation exposure – whether from medical treatments, environmental accidents, or workplace risks – can increase the likelihood of thyroid damage or cancer later in life.

Lastly, genetic predispositions play a role. A family history of thyroid disease, particularly autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease, can increase the chance of developing thyroid problems.

Can a Person Live Without a Thyroid?

Yes, it is possible to live without a thyroid. In some cases – such as thyroid cancer, large goiters, or severe hyperthyroidism – the gland may be surgically removed through a procedure called a thyroidectomy.

Because the thyroid is the body’s main source of thyroid hormones, its removal means the body can no longer produce the hormones it needs to regulate metabolism and energy. To replace this function, people who undergo thyroidectomy must take lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy (most commonly levothyroxine). This daily medication provides the hormones the thyroid would normally produce and helps keep the body’s systems balanced.

Life after thyroid removal usually requires regular checkups and blood tests to ensure hormone levels stay within a healthy range. While adjustments in dosage may be needed over time, most people can live full and healthy lives with proper treatment. The main challenge is staying consistent with medication and monitoring, as skipping doses or letting levels drift out of range can lead to symptoms of either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

How Thyroid Problems are Diagnosed

Doctors use a combination of tests and examinations to evaluate thyroid health. The first step is often a blood test, which measures hormone levels. Common markers include TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), free T4, and free T3. These results show whether the thyroid is overactive, underactive, or functioning normally. In some cases, thyroid antibody tests are also ordered to check for autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease.

If a structural issue is suspected, doctors may turn to imaging tests. A thyroid ultrasound can detect nodules, cysts, or enlargement of the gland, while a radioactive iodine uptake scan provides information about how actively the thyroid is producing hormones.

A physical exam is often part of the process as well. During an office visit, a doctor may feel the front of the neck to check for enlargement, nodules, or tenderness, which can point toward underlying thyroid disease.

Treatment Options for Thyroid Conditions

The treatment plan for thyroid problems depends on whether the gland is overactive, underactive, enlarged, or affected by nodules or cancer. Common approaches include:

Medications: For hypothyroidism, the standard treatment is levothyroxine, a synthetic form of thyroid hormone that restores hormone balance. For hyperthyroidism, antithyroid drugs can be used to slow down the gland’s hormone production. In some cases, medications to control symptoms like rapid heartbeat or anxiety may also be prescribed.

Radioactive iodine therapy: Often used for hyperthyroidism, this treatment involves taking a dose of radioactive iodine by mouth. The iodine is absorbed by thyroid cells, gradually shrinking the gland and reducing hormone output.

Surgery: A thyroidectomy may be recommended for large goiters, suspicious or cancerous nodules, or severe hyperthyroidism that doesn’t respond to other treatments. Depending on whether part or all of the gland is removed, patients may need lifelong hormone replacement therapy.

Lifestyle and diet considerations: While diet and lifestyle changes alone can’t cure thyroid disease, they may support overall health and complement medical treatment. Ensuring adequate iodine intake, managing stress, and maintaining a balanced diet can all play a role in helping the body function more smoothly.

Living With a Thyroid Disorder

Managing a thyroid condition is usually a long-term process, and consistent follow-up is key. Regular blood tests and checkups help ensure hormone levels stay in balance and treatments remain effective. Since thyroid needs can change over time, ongoing monitoring allows doctors to make timely adjustments to medication or therapy.

Equally important is being aware of symptoms. Changes in energy, mood, weight, heart rate, or body temperature can signal that thyroid hormone levels are shifting. 

How LifeMD Can Help

If you suspect you’re experiencing symptoms related to hormone imbalances, consider connecting with a licensed healthcare provider to get answers and explore treatment options.

With LifeMD, you can connect with a licensed healthcare provider from the comfort of your home within an hour. If appropriate, your provider may prescribe a medication and send it directly to your local pharmacy.

For even more flexibility, a LifeMD+ membership gives you 24/7 access to care, same-day prescription refills, exclusive wellness perks, and easy access to lab testing — all designed to make managing your health simple and stress-free.

Skip the waiting room. Join LifeMD and take control of your health today.