The thyroid, one of the human body's largest endocrine glands, is located in the back of the neck, below the thyroid cartilage which forms one's "Adam's apple". The thyroid controls how quickly the body uses energy, creates proteins and how sensitive the body is to other hormones.

Common disorders of the thyroid include hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or thyroid nodules which are generally benign, but may be cancerous in some cases.

Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism describes an overactive thyroid that results in the overproduction of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. This is often the result of the development of Grave's disease, an autoimmune disease in which antibodies produced stimulate the thyroid to secrete excessive quantities of hormones.

Hyperthyroidism presents itself with symptoms such as heart palpitations, excessive sweating, diarrhea, weight loss, increased appetite, muscle weakness, abnormal sensitivity to heat, a thyroid goiter (swollen thyroid gland), or protruding eyes known as exopthalmos.

Hypothyroidism is the underproduction of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4.

This form of thyroid disorder may occur as a result of congenital thyroid abnormalties, autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, iodine deficiency, or because the thyroid has been completely removed from the body during surgery which is often undergone to treat hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.

Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, tiredness, baldness, an intolerance to cold and bradycardia - a resting hear rate of less than 60 beats per minute which may result in cardiac arrest.

It should be noted that seasonal allergies may trigger episodes of hyper- or hypothyroidism.

Thyroid Cancer
In the majority of cases, thyroid cancer initially presents itself as a painless mass in the neck - a thyroid nodule. Unfortunately, it is rare for thyroid cancers to present themselves with symptoms. However, a thyroid nodule should not be neglected. As soon as one is discovered, diagnosis should be made by a medical professional. Most of the Thyroid conditions are curable with homeopathic treatment.