The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, just in front of the windpipe (trachea), yet it plays a vital role in our body balance.
It acts as a control centre for our metabolism – producing the hormone thyroxine (T4), which influences bodyweight via metabolic speed, heart rate, digestion, brain development, nail, bone and hair health and even mood.
More prevalent in women, the most common thyroid pathologies are: hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid – needing replacement therapy) and the presence of benign nodules or more rarely, cancer.
It is estimated that around 350 million individuals worldwide suffer from thyroid disorders, and some people are still unaware of how the disease can manifest. Lack of concentration, decreased motivation, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, constipation or even difficulty getting pregnant may be associated with thyroid pathologies.
The thyroid gland can initially be assessed with a simple blood test, so if you are suffering any of the symptoms mentioned, our clinicians can test this for you.