Description
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck. This small
gland has a big effect on your body. The hormones it produces affect almost all bodily
processes, including metabolism, fertility and sexual function, internal thermostat, mood,
and more.
The American Thyroid Association estimates that more than 12% of Americans will
develop a thyroid condition at some point in their life, although up to 60% of those with
thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. Women are more likely than men to have
thyroid problems, with around one in every eight women developing a problem at some
point in her life.
Hyperthyroidism, in which too much thyroid hormone circulates in the body, is a
common thyroid condition, affecting more than one in every hundred Americans. While
there are many effective treatments for hyperthyroidism, uncontrolled hyperthyroidism
can lead to serious, even life-threatening problems. Read on to learn more about what
hyperthyroidism is, what the symptoms are, and how to live with this condition.
How the Thyroid Works
The thyroid gland is part of your endocrine system. The endocrine system is the
network of glands throughout your body that produces hormones – powerful chemicals
that help to turn on or off all of the various functions in the body. The thyroid is a
particularly important element of the endocrine system, producing hormones that affect
brain, heart and kidney function, as well as skin maintenance, digestion, fertility,
temperature regulation, muscle strength, and more.
In order to produce thyroid hormones, the thyroid uses
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