• The thyroid is a hormonal gland which is found in the neck underneath the larynge (adam’s apple) and in front of the air tube. The thyroid’s main function is the storage of iodine and the production of thyroid hormones containing iodine. It plays an important role for the catabolism as well as for the growth of individual cells and the entire organism. Thyroid hormones e.g. control basic life functions such as heart beat, body temperature and digestion. Thyroid illnesses may lead to disruptions of the hormonal metabolism and - depending on how the thyroid hormones affect the human organism - may become noticeable either as hyperthyroidism or thyroid sub-function.