The thyroid gland helps to control the function of your heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and skin. The gland is a small, butterfly shaped gland located at the base of your neck. Thyroid disease is more common than diabetes or heart disease. Your thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone and when it is not functioning properly, one can produce either too much hormone or too little thyroid hormone. The causes of thyroid disease are many. Thyroid disease can be controlled.

Hypothyroidism: too little thyroid hormone causes your body’s systems to slow down. Hypothyroidism may be present at birth and tends to run in families. Hypothyroidism may be caused by an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto thyroiditis, a disease in which the thyroid gland is attacked by the body’s own immune system. Hypothyroidism may arise as a temporary disease following pregnancy or if the thyroid becomes inflamed with a viral infection. Certain medications may cause hypothyroidism. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, an unexplained weight gain, intolerance to cold, dry hair and skin, and an increased cholesterol level. Hypothyroidism is treated by replacing the body’s thyroid hormone with a daily synthetic hormone.

Hyperthyroidism: too much thyroid hormone causes your body’s systems to speed up. Hyperthyroidism may be caused by an autoimmune disease called Graves’ disease, thyroid cancer, or an iodine insufficiency. Thyroid tissue removal may be needed to reduce the hormone levels. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include nervousness, irritability, and sleeplessness, an unexplained weight loss, heat intolerance, irregular heart beat, and increased sweating.

The best way to know about your thyroid health is to know what your TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test results are. It is a simple blood test to measure how your thyroid gland is functioning. You may want to talk with your doctor about getting a TSH test if you have a family member with thyroid disease, are over the age of 35, or have any symptoms of thyroid disease. If the results show thyroid disease, your doctor will talk with you about the treatments available to manage it. Your body is sensitive to even small changes in thyroid hormone levels. If you are placed on medication it is very important that you take your medications as prescribed by your doctor and have periodic blood tests to monitor your hormone levels.