At least 6% of people have thyroid problems. About half of them don't get treated properly - they either don't get diagnosed at all or are misdiagnosed and treated for something else. According to ThyroidProblems.com untreated thyroid can cause weight problems, exhaustion, depression, muscle pain, cholesterol issues, hair loss, fertility issues and other health problems. If you have some of these symptoms or you have thyroid disorders in your family, it might be a good time to have your hormone levels checked to make sure you get treated properly.

Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that is in charge of metabolism, and if it doesn't work properly, it can influence every aspect of your life. As most symptoms of thyroid dysfunction like under- or overactive thyroid are common also for other health conditions, it can be difficult to notice and might get misdiagnosed. Yet, when left untreated, it can have serious consequences on person's health. If you feel unusually tired for no reason or have trouble losing weight despite of diet and exercise, it can be a thyroid problem. Don't let yourself or your doctor to explain it away by saying it is common for people in your age/gender/situation etc.

In many countries where iodine isn't being added to table salt, iodine deficiency is the main reason for thyroid problems. So make sure your salt is iodized.

If your parents have thyroid problems, the odds are 1 in 2 that you will develop it, too, by the time you're 40. If you're over 60, the odds are at least 1 in 10. Pregnancy can also be a contributing factor to thyroid issues, and postpartum hypothyroidism is fairly common (6%). So make sure you pay attention to all warning signs and have yourself regularly tested.

Once you've been diagnosed, you can keep on living a very healthy life as long as you keep on taking your medications according to your doctor's orders and keep on getting checked to make sure the dose is accurate and up to date. Your need can change over time, and especially when becoming pregnant. New York Thyroid Center stresses that if you are being treated for thyroid problems and find out you're expecting, have your hormone levels checked immediately to make necessary changes in the dosage. And keep on getting them checked at least every trimester as it's not just important for the mother, but also for the baby.