It affects heart rate, cholesterol level, body weight, energy level, muscle strength, skin condition, vision, menstrual regularity, mental state and a many other things. If the thyroid fails to work it can wreak havoc on everything. The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland that wraps around the front of the windpipe just below the Adam's apple. The thyroid gland produces hormones that control metabolism and organ function. It pretty much controls everything in the body.
Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid condition.
This condition is caused when the thyroid doesn't produce enough of the thyroid hormone. This is more common in women and the elderly although it can happen to anyone. This increased workload on the thyroid may cause it to enlarge, resulting in what is known as a goiter. The only way to be sure is to have a doctor test for TSH levels. Treatment is usually thyroid hormone replacement supplementing the body's naturally produced hormone with a synthetic hormone tablet, levothyroxine sodium, which is generally taken for life.