The thyroid is a small gland found in the middle of the lower neck. The hormones it produces helps control your body temperature and heart rate, and help regulate the production of protein. January is Thyroid Awareness Month. Up to 20 million Americans have a thyroid condition. The thyroid can be either over-active or under-active. An overactive thyroid is called hyperthyroidism, which is when the thyroid overproduces the thyroid hormone, T4. It can cause jitters, difficulty sleeping and unexplained weight loss.

When a thyroid is under-active the body doesn’t produce enough of thyroid hormones and can result in slowing down the body’s functions. This is called hypothyroidism and the more common than hyperthyroidism. The good news about thyroid conditions is that they’re treatable. Once diagnosed and treated, it’s entirely possible to live a normal, healthy life.