Thyroid is the gland which is butterfly in shape and can be found in the neck's front. This works just like a factory which used iodine from the food that we eat for the production of thyroid hormones. The latter helps in regulating the metabolism of the body and also effect other bodily processes and functions such as growth. This rate of the production of hormone is regulated by another gland which is located in our brain and known as the pituitary gland.

If this gland is under active or if it is not properly regulated, this can result to thyroid problem known as hypothyroidism. The latter can be caused by autoimmune thyroiditis, inflammation of the gland after pregnancy or postpartum thyroiditis, silent thyroiditis and acute one. If this gland in our neck is overactive or is producing too much hormone, it can cause what is known as hyperthyroidism. This is cause by Toxic multinodular goiter, grave's disease, Hashitoxicosis, excessive iodine intake and toxic nodule.

Numerous signs and symptoms according to the level of hormone deficiency may show that one person has hypothyroidism. Mental forgetfulness and fogginess is common coupled with fatigue and feeling excessively cold. Some women may have long period of menstruation with severe bleeding and experience very dry skin. For those who suffer hypothyroidism, feeling of heat intolerance and too much sweating is common. The menstruation is very irregular and with scant flow. People above 70 and those whose condition are mild may not feel any of these signs until the problem has worsened.

Improper growth development and some personal abnormalities can also lead to thyroid problems. It can be the cause of cysts that are benign or those that are cancerous. The cancer can either be medullary, follicular, papillary or anaplastic. An enlarged gland is a medical condition known as goiter where the size ranges from being slightly noticeable to the point that it is no longer appealing to the sight and needs removal through surgeries. Abnormalities can also lead the gland to develop in some abnormal areas.

When the thyroid problem is because of the defect in its structure, one will also experience different sets of signs and symptoms. This can include compression in the esophagus and trachea which makes it difficult to breathe and swallow. Increase in the size of the gland can even lead to bleeding and the person may feel local pain. If one is inflicted with cancer in this gland, he is also likely to experience the common systemic symptoms such as night sweats, lack of appetite and significant weight loss.

Medication is commonly given to those who have over production of hormones while synthetic hormones are administered to those who are deficient in those hormones. Those whose trachea and esophagus are experiencing compression of the airways because of enlargement usually undergoes surgical treatment. If the person will not properly respond to the medication given, the other option is to undergo radioactive ablation. This is also the procedure for those who have or at risk of developing cancer.