Women's Wellness

General Information about the Thyroid Gland

• The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland in the neck, just under the Adam's apple and just above your collar bones.
• The thyroid makes hormones that help to regulate the body's metabolism (how the body uses and stores energy from foods eaten) and organ functions.
• When the thyroid is not working properly (called thyroid disorder), it can affect your:
• Body weight.
• Energy level.
• Muscle strength.
• Skin health.
• Menstrual cycle (periods).
• Memory.
• Heart rate.
• Cholesterol level.
• Thyroid disorders happen when:
• The thyroid gland is not as active as it should be ( hypothyroidism ).
• The thyroid is more active than it should be ( hyperthyroidism ).
• The thyroid is enlarged (called goiter). (People with thyroid enlargement can have hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or normal thyroid function).
• Thyroid disorders are much more common in women than in men.
• About 1 out of every 8 American women will develop a thyroid disorder.