Thyroid follicles

Looks like

Microscopic hollow spheres of cells filled with colloid, making up the thyroid gland.

What it does

Store and release thyroid hormones made with iodine.

Keeping it well

Enough iodine from diet matters; a nodule or firm neck lump that grows, or hoarseness with it, needs an ultrasound.

Related conditions

• Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's)
• Congenital hypothyroidism
• Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
• Hyperthyroidism & Graves' disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Menopause & perimenopause
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Postnatal depression
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid nodules & goitre
• Thyroiditis (Hashimoto's & subacute)
• Turner syndrome
• Type 1 diabetes