The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland found at the base of the neck, just below your Adam’s apple. This gland makes thyroid hormone that travels in your blood to all parts of your body. The thyroid hormone controls the body’s metabolism in many ways, including blood sugar control, heart rate, temperature and digestive function.

A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It may happen only for a short time and may go away on its own without treatment. Or it could also be a symptom of serious thyroid disease that requires treatment. Goiters are more common in women than in men and especially in women of child bearing age.

Women are more likely than men to have thyroid disease

Risk factors increase if you:

• Had a thyroid problem in the past

• Had surgery or radiotherapy affecting the thyroid gland

• Have a condition such as goiter, anemia, or type 1 diabetes

Not at all, these recipes are designed to cater to those who need an especially clean gluten-free, dairy-free diet. No matter what your eating habits look like now, this plan will help you to make them better. Note: For educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

1. Hypothyroidism (Low thyroid)

Symptoms of hypothyroidism develop slowly, often over several years. Initially, sluggishness and fatigue are typically the first signs noticed. Later, other signs and symptoms of a slowed-down metabolism may develop, including:

• Feeling cold when other people do not

• Constipation

• Muscle weakness

• Weight gain, even though you are not eating more food

• Joint or muscle pain

• Feeling sad or depressed

• Feeling very tired

• Pale, dry skin

• Dry, thinning hair

• Slow heart rate

• Less sweating than usual

• A puffy face

• A hoarse voice

• More than usual menstrual bleeding

High LDL or “bad” cholesterol, which can raise the risk for heart disease are also a sign of hypothyroidism.

2) Hyperthyroidism (Excess thyroid hormone)

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism usually begin slowly. But, over time, a faster metabolism can cause symptoms such as:

• Weight loss, even if you eat the same or more food (most but not all people lose weight)

• Eating more than usual

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat or pounding of your heart

• Feeling nervous or anxious

• Feeling irritable

• Trouble sleeping

• Trembling in your hands and fingers

• Increased sweating

• Feeling hot when other people do not

• Muscle weakness

• Diarrhea or more bowel movements than normal

• Fewer and lighter menstrual periods than normal

• Changes in your eyes that can include bulging of the eyes, redness, or irritation
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 Hyperthyroidism raises the risk for osteoporosis, a condition that weakens the bones and makes them break easily.  This is especially common among women who have gone through menopause or who are already at high risk of osteoporosis.

• Menstrual irregularities. The thyroid helps control menstrual cycle. Excess or reduced thyroid hormone can make periods very light, heavy, or irregular. Thyroid disease also can cause periods to stop for several months or longer, a condition called amenorrhea. If the immune system causes thyroid disease as in autoimmunity, other glands, including the ovaries, may be involved. This can lead to early menopause (before age 40).

• Problems getting pregnant. When thyroid disease affects the menstrual cycle, it also affects ovulation. This can make it hard to achieve pregnancy.

• Problems during pregnancy.  Pregnancy related thyroid disease can cause health problems for the mother and the baby.

Sometimes, symptoms of thyroid problems are mistaken for  menopause symptoms. Thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, is more likely to develop after menopause.

It depends. If your thyroid condition is in its preliminary stage and is not cancerous, there is a possibility of saving the thyroid and restoring it back to normal with specific treatment and lifestyle changes.