The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck that produces thyroid hormones which regulate metabolism. It begins developing early in gestation and starts producing clinically significant levels of thyroid hormones between 18-20 weeks of gestation. The thyroid secretes thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), the active form, which regulate metabolic rate. Disorders can result from too much or too little thyroid hormone production and include Graves' disease, goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and cancer.