The thyroid-stimulating hormone is one of the hormones synthesized and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. When secreted in the bloodstream, it stimulates the thyroid gland, an endocrine gland located in the neck area, to produce and secrete thyroid hormones; thyroxine and triiodothyronine, T4 and T3, respectively.
These thyroid hormones maintain bodily functions such as metabolism and digestion, body temperature, heart function, and blood pressure, as well as bone and muscle density.