Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Too little hormone slows down all the chemical reactions in the body, causing mental as well as physical changes.
Hypothyroidism can occur in anyone.
Middle-aged and elderly women are most commonly affected. There is a strong tendency for all kinds of thyroid disorders to run in families. The thyroid gland is a small gland that wraps around the windpipe below the Adam's apple. These hormones regulate the rate at which you burn calories for energy. Too little hormone, as in hypothyroidism, may cause you to gain weight.