It is estimated that over 27 million Americans suffer from thyroid disease and at least half of them are undiagnosed. According to the American Thyroid Association, women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems.

Even worse, the American Cancer Society estimates that there are 56,460 new cases of thyroid cancer a year, double the number in 1990 and triple the statistics in 1970.

Dr. Richard Shames M.D. a leading expert and author of "Thyroid Mind Power," tells Newsmax that there is an "alarmingly greater number of thyroid patients than there has been in past years."

He blames higher levels of pollutions as one of the causes.

"Both high and low thyroid disease, as well as thyroid cancer, are autoimmune diseases," he says. "The underlying cause of the increase in autoimmunity across the board is the incessantly increasing pollution of our air, food and water with thousands of hormone and immune disrupting synthetic chemicals."

Dr. Alan Christianson, NMD, the best-selling author of "The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease," agrees, adding that the thyroid is the only organ that concentrates all the chemicals found in the body.

"There is genetic factor to thyroid disease, but the toxic levels of chemicals in the thyroid gland can be 100 times higher than in the brain, for example. Your thyroid is the only part of the body that needs iodine so it has a built-in pump that pulls this mineral from the blood. But it doing so, it also pulls in toxic chemicals that lead to malfunction."

Here's how to prevent thyroid disease:

• A monthly "neck check." Your thyroid is located between your Adam's apple and your sternum. Take your right hand against your neck and move downward. Aside from muscle tissue, if you feel anything unusual, check with your doctor. Next, swallow a glass of water. This moves the trachea and the esophagus in such a way that the thyroid is pushed out that would expose any lumps or bumps. If you see or feel anything unusual, ask your doctor for an ultrasound. If you have had thyroid disease, your risk of getting cancer is higher so schedule regular ultrasounds.
• Take a multivitamin that includes 100 mcg. of iodine. Eat seafood but avoid processed food that contains too much sodium but no iodine. And don't take in too much either, says Christianson, a world-renowned naturopathic physician. "It's like Goldilocks, too little or too much iodine can damage the thyroid gland."
• Consume selenium. This mineral helps your body utilize thyroid hormones. Eat a handful of Brazil nuts each week.
• Minimize mercury. Beware of high mercury seafood. The biggest no-no is eating tuna daily. Avoid mercury amalgams. Getting new fillings? Go for porcelain or ceramic.
• Avoid perchlorate. This is a toxic by product from rocket and jet fuels. It usually ends up in our water supply and is absorbed through our skin and intestines. Once in our bodies, it prevents our thyroid gland from absorbing iodine. Drink purified water only, not tap water. Ideally, use a filter for your shower, too. We can also get this toxic product from dry cleaning so when you bring your clothes home, take them out of the bag ASAP and ideally let them off-gas in the sunshine before wearing.
• Exercise. The more aerobic activity you do the lower your odds of developing thyroid disease. Keep your blood moving!
• Get tested. If you or someone your love has possible thyroid symptoms, have a complete panel of tests done including TSH, thyroid antibodies, freeT3 and free T4. Look for your TSH to be in the optimal range of 0.3-1.5. In the case of suspected thyroid disease or any other symptoms, never assume you need to suffer. Educate yourself and see your doctor so that you can feel your best.