The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland is a very important gland whose key role in the endocrine system is to regulate your metabolism, which is the ability of the body to break down food and transform it to energy. The ‘slow’ and ‘fast’ metabolism in the body is all due to the functional activities of the thyroid gland. The two main hormones secreted by the thyroid gland are T3 and T4. A normal functioning thyroid makes 80% of T4 and 20% of T3. The working of the thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary gland. It is located in the base of the brain and produces another hormone called the thyroid stimulating hormone TSH. If there is a requirement of more T3 and T4 hormones to be created, the TSH hormone stimulates the thyroid to produce more T3 and T4 as needed. Thyroid hormones play an important role in influencing virtually every organ in the body. They are responsible for the metabolism of the body and regulate the consumption of oxygen and the production of heat. Here’s an overview of thyroid disorder.

There are many diseases and disorders that arise due to thyroid deficiency and can develop at any stage. Few of the most common thyroid disorders are:

• Goiter
  A goiter is an enlargement in the neck. There can be a toxic and nontoxic goiter. A toxic goiter is linked to hyperthyroidism, and a non-toxic goiter is as a result of iodine deficiency. Stimulation of the thyroid gland to release more hormones may lead to goiter because of the over-stimulated thyroid.
• Hyperthyroidism
  Excess production of thyroid hormone is called hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism patients are often sensitive to heat, restless, and eat overly. Hyperthyroidism may result in goiter because of the over-stimulated thyroid.
• Hypothyroidism
  Secretion of less thyroid hormone causes hypothyroidism. It is a critical disease in infants known as cretinism. Cretinism is a dangerous condition which leads to severe mental retardation in a child. Symptoms in hypothyroidism in adults are sensitivity to cold, loss of appetite and lethargy. Hypothyroidism sometimes takes years to get diagnosed. Women above 60 years are more likely to have hypothyroidism.
• Solitary thyroid nodules
  Half the population is estimated to have a nodule in their thyroid. Nodules, or lumps, in the thyroid, are actually quite common. These nodules are mostly benign in nature. One can check whether the nodule is cancerous through a biopsy.
• Thyroid cancer
  This cancer is fairly common and can affect anyone at any age. Especially though women and people over thirty are most likely to develop the condition. It is seen that the overall survival rates are good. Symptoms of thyroid cancer are hoarseness, neck pain, and enlarged lymph nodes.

Symptoms of thyroid
Symptoms of hypothyroidism vary depending on the deficiency of hormones. It develops over a period of time. In Hypothyroidism symptoms usually are lethargy, puffy face, hoarseness, muscle weakness and muscle aches, pain in the joints, irregular menstrual period, thinning hair and elevated blood cholesterol level. Other symptoms are increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, slow heart rate, depression, and impaired memory.

The symptoms depend on the degree of hyperthyroidism. Symptoms are usually excessive sweating, heat intolerance, increased bowel movements, tremor (usually fine shaking), Nervousness, agitation, anxiety, rapid heart rate, palpitations, irregular heart rate, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, decreased concentration. other symptoms are irregular and scanty periods (menstruation), fine or brittle hair, rapid heartbeat, thinning and/or smooth velvety skin and sleep disturbances.

Hypothyroidism in infants
Hypothyroidism mostly affects adults but might pose a special danger to newborns and infants. A lack of thyroid hormones in the system at an early age can lead to severe physical and intellectual disabilities. Most infants now have their thyroid levels checked immediately after birth and given adequate treatment if necessary.

If you have symptoms similar to the ones mentioned above, you should visit a doctor and get your thyroid tests done to avoid any further complications on the disorder.