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HTDS Guide > About Thyroid
Disease > A Look at Thyroid Disorders
HTDS Guide
A Look at Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck just below the
Adam's apple, takes iodine from the diet and makes thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone affects a person's physical energy, temperature, weight
and mood.
Thyroid diseases generally fall into two broad groups of disorders:
abnormal function and abnormal growth (nodules) in the gland. These
problems are common in the general population, especially among older
people and women. Most thyroid problems can be detected and treated.
Functional disorders are usually related to the gland producing too
little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much thyroid hormone
(hyperthyroidism).
Benign nodules in the thyroid gland are common and do not usually
cause serious health problems. These nodules occur when the cell growth
within the nodule is abnormal. Nodules can occasionally put pressure on
the neck and cause trouble with swallowing, breathing or speaking if
they are too large. The thyroid usually functions normally even when
nodules are present.
Thyroid cancers are much less common than benign nodules. With
treatment, the cure rate for thyroid cancer is more than 90 percent.
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