The
thyroid gland is a
butterfly-shaped
gland located below and to the sides of the
trachea and
esophagus and above to the
larynx, that is, in the
neck. The thyroid gland creates
hormones that regulate
metabolism.
When the thyroid
malfunctions, you'll end up with either
hyperthyroidism (too much hormone) or
hypothyroidism (too little). Women in particular may be susceptible to
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an
auto-immune disease that causes your
immune system to
attack your thyroid (results in hypothyroidism).