Thyroid

What Are Thyroid Problems? Through the hormones it produces, the  thyroid  gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in your body.  Thyroid disorders  can range from a small, harmless  goiter  (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening  cancer . The most common  thyroid problems  involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much thyroid hormone results in a condition known as  hyperthyroidism . Insufficient hormone production leads to  hypothyroidism . Although the effects can be unpleasant or uncomfortable, most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated. What Causes Thyroid Problems? All types of hyperthyroidism  are due to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, but the condition can occur in several ways: Graves' disease : The production of too much thyroid hormone. Toxic adenomas : Nodules develop in the thyroid gland and begin to secrete thyroid hormones, upsetting the body's