Thyroid hormones are essential for the development of the nervous system in children and for the control of metabolic activities in adults, affecting the function of virtually every organ in our body. Diseases of the thyroid gland are among the most common in medical practice.

Let’s get a few things straight at the outset: the thyroid is an organ and not a disease. It is very common to hear that people «have a thyroid», as if that were a health problem.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, in front of the windpipe. The thyroid produces two hormones called triiodothyronine and thyroxine, better known as T3 and T4, respectively. These hormones are responsible for the body’s metabolism, i.e. the way the body stores and expends energy.

When the thyroid works too much and produces hormones in excess, what we call hyperthyroidism occurs. When it works little, or when it has been surgically removed due to a tumor, what we call hypothyroidism occurs.

Therefore, there are some general symptoms, with which you should be attentive, as they may indicate problems or alterations in the functioning of the thyroid gland, these are:

• Discomfort in the throat and neck
• Difficulty concentrating and lack of memory.
• Hair loss and dry skin
• Weight gain or loss
• Drowsiness, tiredness and muscle aches and pains
• Mood disturbances and constipation
• Palpitations and high blood pressure