According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, one in 10 people will develop a thyroid disease by age 60. The prevalence of these conditions is steadily rising; however, there remains a lack of awareness regarding their symptoms, causes, and treatments. Let’s take a look at what we know about thyroid disease and what we don’t.

A thyroid disorder refers to a disease or dysfunction affecting the thyroid gland, which is located in your neck. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate your metabolism and ability to produce energy. A person whose thyroid gland is not functioning properly is said to have thyroid disease.

Thyroid issues can leave you feeling exhausted and unable to do the things you love, whether it’s working out, socializing, or just getting through the day at the office. Thyroid disease can also cause extreme fluctuations in your weight. Some people lose weight with hyperthyroidism, while others gain weight. Some people do both. Excessive hair growth is another issue. Some people experience hair growth on their face and neck as a sign of hypothyroidism. People with thyroid disease often experience changes in their bowel movements as well, including constipation and diarrhea.

If you have an autoimmune disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, you have a higher risk of developing hyperthyroidism. The same is true if you have certain allergies, use certain medications, or have a family history of autoimmune disease. If you have had surgery or radiation treatment that damages the gland, you could experience an overactive or underactive thyroid. This can happen with either type of surgery or radiation, but it is generally temporary. If someone in your family has thyroid disease, there’s a higher chance you will develop it too, so you may want to talk to your doctor about getting your thyroid tested regularly.

If you’ve been diagnosed with thyroid disease, don’t panic. Thyroid disorders are very treatable with a few simple lifestyle changes. If you feel like something is not right, it’s important to get tested. A doctor can test your thyroid hormones and take a full panel of other hormones that may be causing your symptoms. Eating a balanced diet can help with thyroid issues. A diet high in sugar and carbohydrates can cause your body to overproduce the hormone serotonin. This hormone can shut down the production of your thyroid hormone, causing hyperthyroidism. Regular exercise can also stimulate your thyroid gland to produce more hormones. Sleep is important for regulating your hormones as well. Studies have found that sleep deprivation can disrupt the function of your thyroid gland, so it's important to get adequate rest.