The thyroid gland is a small organ with important functions that manufactures, stores and releases thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) into the bloodstream to regulate the body’s metabolism and development. These hormones are very important for maintaining the normal functioning of all tissues and organs in the body. Hypothyroidism at an early age can lead to cretinism, as the name implies, which is not only shorter in height but also less intelligent. More than 300 million people worldwide suffer from thyroid disease, but at least half of them are unaware of their condition. Thyroid disorders are dangerous to human health, so it is important for the public to be aware of the prevention of the disease before it happens, and to follow the principle of “early detection and treatment” to avoid delays. Basic examination of the thyroid gland: 1. Check the size, texture, symmetry, nodules, pressure pain and tremor of the thyroid gland. Be gentle and avoid pain, coughing and breath-holding due to heavy pressure. The normal human thyroid gland is not obvious in appearance, and is slightly larger in women during puberty. The enlarged thyroid gland can be divided into three degrees. Those who cannot see the enlargement but can be touched are degree I. Those who can see the enlargement and can be touched but are within the sternocleidomastoid muscle are degree II, and those who exceed the outer edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle are degree III. Common causes of goiter include: 1. Simple goiter: significant enlargement of the gland, soft texture and symmetry. It is not associated with hyper- or hypothyroidism. Those with a longer history may have multiple nodules, called nodular goiter. In the past, dietary iodine deficiency was the main cause of the disease, but with the implementation of universal iodine supplementation the incidence has been greatly reduced. 2. Hyperthyroidism: The enlarged gland is soft and symmetrical in texture. It is characterized by tremors on palpation and murmurs in the blood vessels on auscultation. Other systemic manifestations include excitement and irritability, panic and sweating, excessive food and weight loss, fear of heat and hand trembling, and increased stool frequency. 3, chronic lymphatic thyroiditis: also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is the most common cause of goiter and is also the most common cause of hypothyroidism, which may be related to excessive iodine supplementation. It is also the most common cause of hypothyroidism and may be related to excessive iodine supplementation. The manifestations of hypothyroidism include slow reaction, memory loss, coldness and swelling, and weight gain. 4.Thyroid cancer: Sudden growth of lumps in the thyroid gland, rapid growth, asymmetry, unsmooth surface, hard as stone and swollen metastatic lymph nodes around, all these are signals of thyroid cancer. 5.Thyroid adenoma: slow growth, mostly single nodule, smooth and movable. It has a long medical history and grows slowly. It can be operated or followed up and observed. Generally, it will not grow very large and will not become cancerous. 6. Subacute thyroiditis: significant sore throat and neck pain, obvious pressure pain, unilateral onset, may spread to the other side within a short period of time. It is related to viral infection and can be cured by glucocorticoids. 7. thyroid cyst: sudden unilateral enlargement of the thyroid gland, which is cystic to the touch. ultrasound can reveal fluid in the thyroid gland. Most patients are cured after one to several aspirations of the cystic fluid and the nodule disappears.