Thyroid: The Other Hormone
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With all the attention given lately to estrogen and progestin, its easy to overlook a lesser-known, but equally vital, hormonal influence: the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidismwhich occurs when this gland doesnt produce enough thyroid hormoneis more common in women than in men. Symptoms include dry skin, constipation, fatigue, forgetfulness, weight gain, and hoarseness. Left unchecked, severe hypothyroidism can have serious consequences. But it can be diagnosed by your doctor with a simple blood test, and its easily treated.
Lancet, Vol. 363, No. 9411