More than 20 million Americans have thyroid disease, most of them women. In fact, 2 percent of all women will suffer from thyroid disorder at some point in their lives. The thyroid is important because it produces two hormones that help regulate metabolism and control the speed of all cellular activity in the body. So what happens when this small, butterfly-shaped gland malfunctions, and how can it suddenly seem to turn against us? Many people don't even realize when it happens. Often a "silent" problem, thyroid disease affects an estimated 2 million people who are undiagnosed. This guide gives thyroid disorder patients what they need most: substantive information from an authoritative source that is trusted by people over the world. It outlines what anyone must do to reduce their risk of thyroid disorders; for those who have been diagnosed, it outlines successful treatments.