The thyroid gland is a bowtie shaped gland located just below the adam's apple. Thyroid hormone regulates
the metabolic rate. This is similar to an engine's RPM's. When the thyroid gland is overproducing, then the metabolism is in
high RPM's. This causes the heart to beat a little faster, the bowels to move a little more frequently, the skin to sweat a
little more profusely, the blood pressure to rise slightly, and the patient to lose weight despite increased appetite. There
is increased restlessness and insomnia. Treatment is with radioactive Iodine.

             Low functioning thyroid ( Hypothyroidism ) means that metabolism is in low RPM's. This causes a slight decrease
in Blood Pressure and heart rate, decreased bowel frequancy, slight mental cognitive slowing, slowed speech, slight weight
gain despite decreased appetite, sluggishness, fatigue and depression. This is more common in women than in men. Treatment
is with thyroid hormone replacement.