Your Thyroid gland secretes hormones that basically control your internal body temperature and along with this, your metabolic activity in literally every cell of your body. The thyroid is very important to the body because it really affects how your body consumes calories and uses energy. It sits right at the base of your neck and is located right below your Adam's apple.

In the event that your thyroid gland acts up, two things occur. You either experience hyperthyroid symptoms (not so common) or you have to deal with an underactive thyroid and experience hypothyroid symptoms. In either case, it isn't good. In this article, I am going to discuss hypothyroid symptoms and give a little insight into what causes this disorder.

So, the thyroid fails to produce enough hormone and your body starts to slow down.  This could be the result of many things happening.  In once case, it could be that the brain is not sending the message to your thyroid gland to secrete more hormones.  In another, it could be the thyroid itself that is malfunctioning.

If you suffer from hypothyroidism, then chances are you feel weak and tired all the time.  You will generally move slower and simple activities that were once easy start to feel impossible to achieve.  Chances are good that you have gained weight and are having a problem digesting food.  Because your thyroid is regulating your internal processes, you may feel achey and cold at the same time.

Other Hypothyroid symptoms include menstrual problems, dry skin, brittle or thin nails, hair loss, and recurring infections.  The biggest problem with those that suffer from these symptoms is that hypothyroidism is sometimes mistaken for depression or laziness.

There is a laundry list of symptoms that are associated with an underactive thyroid. These include:

• Fatigue, Apathy and depression
• Weight Gain
• Sensitivity to cold and heat
• Irregular periods
• Aches and pains
• High Cholesterol
• Hair Loss
• Dry skin and hair
• Infertility
• Insomnia
• Anemia and easily bruised
• Slow healing
• Brittle, peeling nails
• Recurring Infections

At one time, before we iodized salt, and iodine deficiency was the most likely cause of hypothyroidism.  And although there is a minority of people who still don't get enough iodine or their body can't process it correctly, the chief cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's disease.  Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies within your body attack the thyroid directly and thus suppress the production of hormones responsible for thermal regulation in the body.

Other than Hashimoto's disease, there are other factors that can suppress hormonal function in the thyroid.  These include stress, nutritional deficiencies, inactivity and even some medications.  

In the case of stress, the stress hormone cortisol, suppress thyroid functions.

Any toxic metals, most notably lead but also mercury and arsenic can also interfere with thyroid functions

Finally, certain medications can alter the thyroid's ability to produce hormones such as lithium and estrogen.