Also known as an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism, the most common side effect of having a low thyroid is weight gain. In addition to this, if you are going through menopause, you may experience a heavier weight gain, so taking proper care of your body during this time is key to keeping the unwanted pounds off.

The thyroid, located at the front of your neck, is a small butterfly shaped gland that is part of the body’s endocrine system. A swollen thyroid, or goiter, occurs when the gland swells to larger than normal.

Although many people may think of stress as unhealthy, exercise is generally a positive stressor that stimulates your body to grow stronger.

As men age, testosterone levels begin to diminish. This can result in a host of symptoms, including reduced muscle strength, depression, erectile dysfunction, weight gain and lack of sex drive. Elevate your testosterone levels naturally through exercise and consuming foods that boost testosterone production.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck, below the larynx. The gland consists of follicular cells that produce the hormones — thyroxine and triiodothyronine — which play an important role in metabolism.

Prolactin is a hormone that is primarily involved in milk production and breast development. After you have a baby, your prolactin levels rise and cause your mammary glands to lactate, so you can breastfeed. Hyperprolactinemia is a condition characterized by high prolactin levels not related to pregnancy.

If you are looking to balance your testosterone levels, exploring the world of medicinal mushrooms may be of benefit to you.

Doctors prescribe thyroid medication, usually levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid), to boost your thyroid hormone levels when they are too low. There are no recommended dietary restrictions for people taking thyroid medication.

Your body contains hundreds of hormones circulating within your blood or stored within various tissues of your body. Maintaining a proper level of each hormone proves important; too much or too little of a single hormone can lead to a hormonal imbalance.

Women naturally have about one-tenth the amount of testosterone as men, but as they age, testosterone levels can rise. According to Dr. Abraham Kryger with the Monterey Preventive Medical Clinic, by the time a woman reaches 40, she can have testosterone levels approximately half that of a 20-year-old man's.

Testosterone is a male hormone, yet both males and females alike have some flowing through their bodies. According to Australia's Jean Haile Foundation for Women, testosterone levels fall during menopause, which can contribute to emotional and physical side effects.

Though testosterone is the dominant male hormone, women have some as well. Women who have high levels of testosterone, however, often have difficulty getting pregnant and carrying a pregnancy full-term. Complications may also arise during pregnancy if you have high testosterone levels.