What is a thyroid gland?

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland in your neck. It makes two hormones that are secreted into the blood: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are necessary for all the cells in your body to work normally.

Thyroid disorders are very common and tend mainly to occur in women, although anybody - men, teenagers, children and babies, too - can be affected. About one in 20 people has some kind of thyroid disorder, which may be temporary or permanent.

The thyroid gland lies in the front of your neck in a position just below your Adam’s apple. It is made up of two lobes - the right lobe and the left lobe, each about the size of a plum cut in half - and these two lobes are joined by a small bridge of thyroid tissue called the isthmus. The two lobes lie on either side of your wind-pipe.

Come along to our next information event where medical professionals and patients will discuss the latest guidelines on the mangement of thyroid disease. It will be on Saturday 8 February in Westminster from 10.30am to 4pm.

The first British Thyroid Foundation Research Award was made in 1997. The value of the annual award is up to £20,000 to support medical research projects. The award can be used to supplement existing projects or to help get new research ideas started. Funds will be awarded for consumables, running costs and equipment.

Our range of 2019 Christmas cards are now available for order. All proceeds from the sale of our cards go towards the work of the BTF and also help raise awareness of our work.  To order the cards please download the order form.