Nigeria, June 27 -- The thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped organ located at the front of the neck, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, heart rate and body temperature.

Yet thyroid disorders often go undetected, especially among women, whose symptoms are frequently mistaken for stress, ageing or normal hormonal changes.

Speaking with PT Health Watch, reproductive endocrinologist Oladapo Ashiru said women are far more likely than men to develop thyroid disorders, citing Nigerian studies that reported female-to-male ratios ranging from 6.3:1 to as high as 98:1.

According to Mr Ashiru, recognising the warning signs early is important because untreated thyroid disorders can affect fertility, pregnancy and overall quality of li...