Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is situated in the neck in front of the windpipe (trachea) and just below the larynx (voice box). It resembles the shape of a butterfly.

It produces several hormones (chemical substances) which circulate around the body in the blood. These hormones, one of which is Thyroxine, help to keep the body's functions (metabolism/digestion), normal growth and brain development working at the correct pace and is vital for mental and physical wellbeing.

There is a greater frequency of thyroid dysfunction in people with Down syndrome that increases with age (0.7% infancy; 4–16% school age; 15-20% adolescents’;22-52% adults). This occurs when the thyroid gland is not working properly and cannot produce enough thyroxine to keep the body running at the best rate.