Brief Answer:
Thyroid

Detailed Answer:
Thyroid Disorders and Symptoms
The thyroid is a gland that controls several key areas of the body. The hormones made by the thyroid travel through the bloodstream, affecting everything from the digestive system and metabolism to the brain function and development. Understanding how the thyroid affects the body and what happens when it is not working properly is the key to keeping your body in proper hormonal balance.

How the Thyroid Gland Works
The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormone, which controls several bodily functions. It is controlled by the pituitary gland, which detects the levels of the hormone in the body. When the pituitary gland notices that there's an unbalanced amount of thyroid hormone in the blood, it will tell the thyroid gland to make more or less. The thyroid uses iodine to make these important hormones. At any step of this process, something can go wrong, leading to thyroid disorders.

Common Thyroid Disorders
A thyroid disorder occurs when the thyroid is overactive or underactive. Too much thyroid hormone can cause:
Increase in bowel movements and sweating
Weight loss
Irritability
Vision problems
Fatigue
Light menstruation
Anxiety or nervousness

This is known as hyperthyroidism.


Too little thyroid hormone, or hypothyroidism, can cause:
Constipation
Weight gain
Dry skin and hair
Heavy menstruation
Fatigue
Intolerance to cold

These thyroid symptoms should not be ignored.


Thyroid Nodules and Cancer
Lumps or swelling in the thyroid gland can be caused by nodules or thyroid cancer. Nodules do not affect the function of the thyroid or the amount of thyroid hormone in the body, in most cases. About 90 percent are harmless, and these are detected at your regular doctor's appointment through a neck check.
Thyroid cancer, the most common endocrine cancer, affects people of all ages. In 2014, estimates indicate that 15,190 men and 47,790 women will receive a new diagnosis of thyroid cancer in USA. Exact figures for XXXXXXX are not known. This cancer causes few symptoms in its early stages and most commonly affects people between the ages of 20 and 55.
If you are experiencing thyroid symptoms or are diagnosed with a disorder, work to eat a balanced diet and improve your sleep and exercise habits. Have regular checkups with your healthcare provider and take your medications as prescribed. Be aware of drug interactions and learn what you can about thyroid health in order to enjoy a full life with a thyroid disorder.

---