She Is... January 2018 Edition | Page 8

2 B Healthy

Facts about the Thyroid Gland and Thyroid Disease

The thyroid is a hormone-producing gland that regulates the body’s metabolism—the rate at which the body produces energy from nutrients and oxygen—and affects critical body functions, such as energy level and heart rate.

Prevalence and Impact of Thyroid Disease

More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime.

An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease.Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems.

One woman in eight will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime.

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