There is one common problem in the UK, with around one in 20 people suffering with the issue. However, it can take several years to be diagnosed because the symptoms mimic other conditions.
A recent study by academics at the University of Aberdeen and leading thyroid charities found that it took an average of four and a half years for a thyroid condition to be diagnosed. The study of around 1,200 patients found that in almost two thirds of cases it took a number of appointments and a worsening of symptoms before a diagnosis was made.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, just in front of the windpipe (trachea, reports ChronicleLive. It produces hormones that affect functions including your heart rate and body temperature. One of its primary jobs is to help regulate the body's metabolism - the process that turns food into energy. You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
