Top Ten Signs That You Might Have a Thyroid Problem

Millions of Americans have a thyroid problem, but don't know it yet. The thyroid -- a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck -- is the master gland of metabolism. When your thyroid doesn't function, it can affect every aspect of your health -- and in particular, weight, depression and energy levels. Hypothyroidism -- an underactive thyroid -- is by far the most common thyroid condition, and is more common in women, affecting as many as one in five women at some point in their lives. Undiagnosed hypothyroidism can dramatically increase your risk of obesity, heart disease, and depression -- so an important part of starting the year right should be to make sure that you are not one of the millions of people with this common but frequently undiagnosed and overlooked condition. You don't need to have all of these symptoms in order to have a thyroid problem, but here are some of the most common signs that you might have a thyroid condition.