The butterfly-shaped gland which can be felt in the front of the neck is known as the thyroid gland. This gland makes use of our iodine intake so that thyroid hormones are produced. The hormones play an important role in the regulation of metabolic processes as well as help in other bodily function like growth. The efficiency of hormone production of this gland is controlled by another gland situated in the brain which is called the pituitary gland.

If the hormones are not produced in sufficient amount as when the gland is under active, it can lead to hypothyroidism. The major culprits of this condition include gland inflammation after delivery, acute thyroiditis, silent thyroiditis and autoimmune one. On the other hand, the over production of hormones when the gland is hyper active results in the condition called hyperthyroidism. Major cause of this thyroid problem includes too much iodine intake, toxic multinodular goiter, grave's disease, Hashitoxicosis and toxic nodules.

Numerous signs and symptoms according to the level of hormone deficiency may show that one person has hypothyroidism. Mental forgetfulness and fogginess is common coupled with fatigue and feeling excessively cold. Some women may have long period of menstruation with severe bleeding and experience very dry skin. For those who suffer hypothyroidism, feeling of heat intolerance and too much sweating is common. The menstruation is very irregular and with scant flow. People above 70 and those whose condition are mild may not feel any of these signs until the problem has worsened.

When the structure of the gland is not properly develop or suffering from abnormalities, a person may also experience thyroid problems. It can be a non-malignant cyst or a cancerous one which can either be anaplastic, papillary, follicular or medullary cancer. When the glands is enlarged, the condition is known as goiter and the sizes ranges from fairly noticeable to cosmetically unappealing which may need surgical removal. If a person suffers developmental abnormalities, the gland may also develop in an abnormal area.

There are also signs and symptoms which can be experiences when the structure of this gland has a problem. This may include tracheal or esophagus compression which leads to difficulty in swallowing and breathing. It may even reach the size wherein it becomes very cosmetically unappealing. The increase in size leads to bleeding which can cause local pain. If one has cancer problem in this gland, he may also experience systemic symptoms like change in appetite, night sweats, and weight loss.

Medication is commonly given to those who have over production of hormones while synthetic hormones are administered to those who are deficient in those hormones. Those whose trachea and esophagus are experiencing compression of the airways because of enlargement usually undergoes surgical treatment. If the person will not properly respond to the medication given, the other option is to undergo radioactive ablation. This is also the procedure for those who have or at risk of developing cancer.