Though the thyroid gland is small, it needs to function properly in order for the body to perform basic functions. Located in the neck, the thyroid secretes hormones that assist in the regulation of everything from your heart to your reproductive organs—and with too much or too little of these thyroid hormones, it’s almost impossible to stay healthy.
The sad reality is many people in America suffer from thyroid disease. According the American Thyroid Association, more than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. Many of the health problems associated with thyroid disorders are easy to overlook or blame on something else, but it’s important to consider this small gland. Here, we’ve rounded up some medical complications that might be stemming from your thyroid.