Hypothyroidism+by+Tina+and+Cher

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Hypothyroidism is a disease caused by an underactive thyroid gland which produces too little thyroxine. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that is normally located in the lower front of the neck. The thyroidís job is to make thyroid hormone, which is thyroxine. This hormone is carried through the blood to every tissue in the body it is essential to help each cell in every tissue and organ to function properly.Thyroxine controls the speed at which chemical reactions take place in the body. It is controlled by the pituitary gland and needs chemical element iodine to carry out its work. If you have hypothyroidism then your thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroxine to function. This causes the body to slow down, and the patient usually will gain weight, lose energy, possibly become horse, deaf or sensitive to the cold and they may also find it difficult to concentrate. A physical symptom would be a goiter around the neck area near the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is one of he most common thyroid disorders and it affects people all over the world, of every age, sex, race and level of wealth and education. 2-3% of the American population hae pronounced hypothyroidism and as many as 10-15% have subclinical hypothyroidism. More than half of the people who have hypothyroidism don't even know it. Hypothyroidism is more common in women than men, and the rate of it goes up during pregnancy, after delivery and around menopause. If you are white or asian hypothyroidism is more common in those races than African Americans. Learn more about Hypothyroidism by clicking on one of the links above.

Quiz Question: What organ causes hypothyroidism and why?