Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems.

One in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder in her lifetime. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that regulates metabolism, body temperature, and heart rate. Sometimes, it can produce too little or too much of the hormone, and if left untreated, can result in heart problems, osteoporosis, and infertility. “When your thyroid is underactive, patients can feel tired, they can gain weight, their body’s normal metabolic processes move more slowly. Now there are more options than removing the entire thyroid.