The thyroid is a gland located in the anterior part of the neck whose primary function is the regulation of the body’s metabolic processes through the secretion of thyroid hormone. For example, the thyroid gland modulates the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates; it also exerts a significant influence on numerous physiological processes such as heat generation, cardiac output, and bone regeneration.
There are several pathologies that can affect thyroid gland function and alter the proportions of thyroid hormones that are available at any one time throughout the various tissues of the body. The five diseases that affect the thyroid gland are goiter, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, and most commonly Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism.
The exact mechanisms that generate thyroid disease in the body are quite varied and may include autoimmune disorders, congenital defects, mineral deficiencies, pituitary disorders, surgical alterations, and side effects induced by medicinal or radiation therapies.
The most frequently observed symptoms of Hypothyroidism are:
1. Weight gain
Weight gain is one of the most characteristic symptoms of Hypothyroidism. Patients with this form of thyroid disease typically gain weight for no apparent reason, even after adjusting their diet and lifestyle. Hypothyroidism causes our body to have a lower energy expenditure and be significantly less efficient at burning calories, so patients tend to store fat more readily, which leads to weight gain.