The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, absorbs iodine and other nutrients to produce hormones essential for growth, body temperature, energy, metabolism, and reproductive health.

It controls the rate at which our cells use energy, impacting everything from heart rate to digestion.

Controlled by the brain’s hypothalamus and pituitary, low hormone production causes hypothyroidism, while excessive production leads to hyperthyroidism. Autoimmune conditions are known as Hashimoto’s (underactive) and Graves disease (overactive).

Contributing factors to autoimmune thyroid diseases may include viral infections, nutrient deficiencies, toxins, and genetics. Thyroid conditions are more common in women, often linked to hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause