Babies and Parents

Hypothyroidism, or the condition of having an underactive thyroid gland, are unfortunately all too common in many parts of the world. It hits women especially hard, and can lead to more severe health problems if left untreated.

The thyroid is a small gland in the neck. In men, it is located just below the Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland plays an important role in helping to control the body’s metabolism. The thyroid gland performs this function by releasing hormones into the bloodstream which travel to every organ of the body.

Hypothyroidism symptoms occur when body does not get enough hormones from the thyroid gland. Symptoms are the same as those associated with having a slow metabolism. Left untreated, hypothyroidism may cause a number of health conditions including joint pain, infertility and heart disease.

A healthy diet, high in essential nutrients, such as minerals, can go a long way toward preventing an underactive thyroid, as does adding iodized salt to the diets of those who re not fortunate enough to have iodized salt readily available. In many underdeveloped ounties, babies are born with underactive thyroids, leading to stunted growth and brain damage. In infants, thyroid hormones are essential to growth for both the brain and body. Worldwide, the rate of hypothyroidism could be drastically cut down with better nutrition and iodized salt.