| The thyroid gland, located at the front of the neck, | | | | above-normal thyroid levels producing symptoms of |
| produces thyroid hormone, which is how the body | | | | red, itchy, warm skin and more bowel movements than |
| controls its metabolism, or how the body uses energy. | | | | you're used to, while below-normal thyroid levels may |
| As such, the thyroid gland and thyroid hormone are | | | | produce symptoms of constipation, a problem handling |
| involved in converting food into energy, and are | | | | cold weather, and trouble with memory and mental |
| involved with elements of heart, muscle, and bone | | | | clarity. |
| health. | | | | In either case, there are treatments for both. With |
| When a person's thyroid produces hormone levels | | | | many of these thyroid treatments, a person can easily |
| above normal, they're said to have hyperthyroidism (or | | | | restore and maintain normal thyroid levels. |
| an overactive thyroid gland). By contrast, when a | | | | If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of |
| person's thyroid gland produces hormone levels below | | | | above or below normal thyroid levels, it is wise to |
| normal thyroid levels, that person is said to have | | | | speak with your doctor about it. A simple physical |
| hypothyroidism (or an underactive thyroid). | | | | exam with a blood test can help your doctor |
| Many symptoms of an over-active and under-active | | | | determine if what you're experiencing is hyper- or |
| thyroid gland are the same, including feeling tired or | | | | hypo- thyroidism, and if so, what the best course of |
| weak, and feeling moody, anxious, or depressed. From | | | | treatment for you may be. |
| there, symptoms of the two diverge, with | | | | |