Underactive thyroid function has become common — and it’s still horribly under-diagnosed. The good news is that once it is diagnosed, it can be easy to treat, and treatment can make your life worth living again.

The thyroid gland, located in the neck area, is the body's gas pedal. It regulates metabolic speed. If the thyroid gland produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormones, metabolism decreases and a person gains weight. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include intolerance to cold, fatigue, achiness, confusion and constipation.

Unfortunately, the current blood testing misses the majority of people who need thyroid hormone treatment. But many physicians don’t know that the testing is unreliable, and continue to treat the tests instead of the person.

Holistic physicians know how to treat taking both your symptoms and labs into account. Anyone with even two of the above symptoms should consider a trial of natural prescription thyroid such as Armour Thyroid.

Low thyroid problems are increasing in frequency. In the U.S., they mostly occur because the thyroid is being attacked by our own immune systems (an autoimmune process called "Hashimoto’s thyroiditis").

A resurgence of iodine and selenium deficiencies is also contributing to thyroid problems.

Having the problem is no big deal — as long as you get treated properly with natural thyroid hormone.