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Oprah Winfrey’s recent thyroid problems made headlines and brought a silent disease into the spotlight. But how she said she took control of her troubles has been widely questioned. According to the talk-show celebrity, a little vacation and some nutritional changes led her to overcome the weight gain, fatigue and discomfort often associated with thyroid disease.

While some experts believe that good nutrition and stress management can help people with an overactive, underactive or otherwise malfunctioning thyroid gland, finding balance through rest and diet change alone is generally not enough. The truth is, for many people (even after medical treatment), thyroid problems are a struggle for life. In honor of Thyroid Awareness Month, here are a few things you need to know.

As one of the largest glands in the body, your thyroid controls the hormones that regulate metabolism. Thyroid disorders include hypothyroidism and the autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (both of which result in too little thyroid hormone being produced); hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease (also an autoimmune disease), where too much thyroid hormone is produced; and other thyroid problems (including goiter and thyroid cancer), all of which affect an estimated 27 million Americans. Most sufferers are women over the age of 35.

While  thyroid disorders are common, more than half go undiagnosed because their symptoms — pervasive fatigue, irritability, weight gain or weight loss — often masquerade as signs of stress or are chalked up to the aging process, rather than something potentially more serious.

Take control of your thyroid health today by learning the common symptoms of thyroid disease. In hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), for example, symptoms can include forgetfulness, brittle nails, constipation and unexplained weight gain. In hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), symptoms may include increased heart rate, irritability, trembling hands, loss of scalp hair and unexplained weight loss.

A quick “neck check” at home can help determine if your thyroid requires a trip to the doctor. Here’s how to perform a neck check:

1.    Grab a mirror and glass of water.

2.    Locate your thyroid (it’s just below your Adam’s apple and above your collarbone).

3.    With your eyes on that spot, tilt your head back and take a sip of water.

4.    As you swallow, look at your neck for any bulges or protrusions in the area.

Try this a few times and see if you notice anything suspicious. If you do, it could be an enlarged thyroid gland or a nodule on the gland that needs to be checked by your doctor. Even if you don’t see a difference in your neck when you swallow, visit your physician if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned here. He or she will likely give you a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test to check your thyroid function and determine if your thyroid hormone levels are in balance. Depending on the results, your doctor may prescribe medication to control your condition along with lifestyle changes to help you get your thyroid back on track.

Want to learn more about thyroid disease and discover ways to diagnose and manage common thyroid troubles? Find a thyroid specialist near you by logging on to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists’ website at aace.com. For additional info, including access to interactive risk-assessment quizzes, checklists and more, visit thyroidawareness.com.