(HealthDay News) — The thyroid is a small gland at the base of the neck that helps regulate your body’s metabolism.
A medical problem that affects the thyroid can disrupt these key bodily processes. The Web site womenshealth.gov mentions these risk factors for thyroid disease:
- Having had thyroid surgery or radiation therapy directed at the thyroid.
- Having an existing thyroid condition.
- Having a goiter.
- Having type 1 diabetes.
- Having hair that turned gray prematurely.
- Having the skin condition vitiligo.