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Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands

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Thyroid and parathyroid glands

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that lies in front of the windpipe (trachea), just below the voice box (larynx). The thyroid gland uses iodine from food to make two thyroid hormones that regulate the way the body uses energy.

The parathyroid glands are four tiny glands located behind the thyroid gland. The parathyroid glands produce a substance (parathyroid hormone) that helps control the amount of calcium in the blood.

Current as ofDecember 19, 2018

Author: Healthwise Staff
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Thomas M. Bailey, MD, CCFP - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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