For such a small gland, the thyroid in the neck can cause a lot of problems. Thats because the thyroid gland releases hormones that affect almost all of your bodys functions. As a result, thyroid disease produces such a wide range of symptoms, from weight gain to high cholesterol to infertility. The most common thyroid diseases occur when the thyroid gland releases either too little or too much thyroid hormone. Even though a simple test can be given to figure out how much thyroid hormone you are producing, many people do not realize that their thyroid gland is responsible for symptoms such as fatigue, if they have an underactive thyroid, or a rapid heartbeat, if they have an overactive thyroid. Some people may even have subclinical thyroid disease, where they have subtle symptoms that are very rarely properly diagnosed. Below, Carlos R. Hamilton, Jr., MD, president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the executive vice president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, discusses the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease. What does the thyroid hormone do in the body? The thyroid hormone is necessary for almost all of the bodys chemical processes to proceed the way they are supposed to. The body needs it to allow cells to consume oxygen and generate energy within the cells. The cells are continually regenerating, making new proteins, storing glucose, making new enzymes and synthesizing DNA. When there is too little or much thyroid hormone, these processes dont proceed properly. Almost any tissue in the body is affected by the thyroid gland and by thyroid hormone. Tissues that tend to use more oxygen tend to be affected more, so the central nervous system, the heart, the bones, the skin and the muscles are all very significantly affected by either too much or too little thyroid hormone. When thyroid hormone is not present, the skin, for example, is not able to replace itself, and it becomes thin. With too much thyroid hormone, you might break down proteins too quickly,causing muscle weakness. What is hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism? Hypothyroidism means there is not enough thyroid hormone in ones system. Hyperthyroidism is just the opposite; it means that there is too much. Hashimotos disease may cause the thyroid gland to become underactive or enlarged over time. Treatments for hyperthyroidism with radioactive iodine, radiation therapy for head and neck cancers, and thyroid surgery, as well as certain medications can also cause hypothyroidism. Graves disease is the common cause of hyperthyroidism, though it may also be caused by thyroid nodules and thyroid inflammation. Who are these conditions most likely to affect? Thyroid diseases, in general, are more common in women than they are in men. They are more common right after pregnancy. They are more common in older people. Equally important is ones family history. If people in your family have an overactive or an underactive thyroid, then you would be considered at higher risk. So, knowing if your family members have had thyroid disease and making sure your doctor knows that is very helpful. What are some of the major symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland? Page 1 | 2 | 3 View Single Page Cheap Air Jordan 6 Wholesale . - The Kansas City Royals are hoping All-Star catcher Salvador Perez will be back in a few days. Cheap Air Jordan 6 Online . - A late-game interception by defensive back Malcolm Butler saved the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots. http://www.cheapairjordan6uk.com/.Y. -- Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff had an opportunity to experience an entire range of emotions in his first trip back to Buffalo to face his former team. Wholesale Air Jordan 6 Uk . A fully booked flight forced me to leave two hours later. After a nice meal in which I studied the stats of the Argo win, I prepared to leave the restaurant. As I was gathering my things to leave many large individuals began to walk up and wait for tables. Cheap Air Jordan 6 Sale . Andrew Luck couldnt believe his ears. Colts fans couldnt believe the scoreboard, and the Kansas City Chiefs couldnt believe their incredibly bad luck. NEWARK, N.J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. He even got an assist, too. "I think thats been the case for a number of years, even before I played for Pittsburgh," Penguins centre Sidney Crosby said. "They play a good team defence and with Marty Brodeur and (Cory) Schneider there, they have two pretty good goalies. You have to make sure you put your chances away." Brodeur came up big early and then held on to improve his record to 48-28-5 against Pittsburgh in his career. The Devils stand 13-3 vs. the Penguins at the Prudential Center since it opened in 2008. Adam Henrique scored 1:38 into the game and Michael Ryder connected 2:45 into the second, sparking the Devils to a 2-1 victory on Tuesday. Brodeur was credited with his 44th career assist on Ryders goal. Brodeur had an assist in the game for the Devils (17-16-1) and made 19 saves in gaining his second win of the season against Pittsburgh. Marc-Andre Fleury had 28 saves for the Penguins (29-12-1). "Especially in this building, weve been playing them well," said Brodeur, who improved his season record to 12-8-3. "Were trying to play well against good teams. We want to play well against everybody, but we have that little fear of the Penguins because we know how damaging they can be. So it brings out the best in us." Henrique scored his ninth goal with a nifty finish of a pass from Ryan Clowe. Henrique made a quick move into the clear in front of the net and then lifted a shot over the left shoulder of Penguins goalie Fleury. Ryder was credited with an assist on the goal. A few minutes later, the Devils lost veteran winger Patrik Elias after he was knocked to the ice by Pittsburghs Tanner Glass. Elias was face down on the ice and didnt move unntil medical personnel reached him.dddddddddddd He got up slowly to his knees and then managed to skate off. He did not return. "It wasnt precautionary," Devils coach Pete DeBoer said about his decision to hold Elias out. "I dont think there was an option. I talked to him between periods and he explained the play and told me it was awkward. But I dont know anything yet." Brodeur earned his 44th career assist when he started the play that led to Ryders 1th goal of the season at 2:45 of the second. Brodeur cleared the puck to Ryder, who skated past the blue line and into the middle before losing the puck. But Henrique quickly regained possession and sent it back into the middle, where Ryder fired his shot past Fleury. Matt Niskanen cut it to 2-1 for Pittsburgh at 6:58 of the second from the right circle off a Crosby feed that beat Brodeur to his glove side. Sidney Crosby picked up his 23rd assist of the season on the goal and teammate Chris Kunitz registered his 22nd assist on the play. The opening minutes of the game were frenetic for Brodeur. Kunitz blasted a slap shot that bounced off the right shoulder of Brodeur. Seconds later, Kunitz missed a chance at an open net with Brodeur down on far side of the goal. "I wish that one would have gone in, too," Kunitz said. "He made a nice save, got his shoulder on that one. Hes a good goaltender. He knows how the play the angles, thats for sure." NOTES: Sidney Crosby had an assist in the second period to give him nine goals and 23 points for the month of December and has now produced a point in 13 of the last 14 games for Pittsburgh. . The Devils held the Penguins to just one power play in the entire game, which came in the closing minutes of the third period. ' ' '