Glossary

Adrenal Glands: A pair of small glands, one located on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands produce sex hormones and hormones that help control heart rate, blood pressure, the way the body uses food, and other vital functions

Thyroidectomy: Surgical removal of the thyroid

Hypothalamus: The area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst

Thyroid stimulating hormone: A chemical messenger regulating thyroid activity and produced by the pituitary gland, in excessive amounts when the thyroid gland fails to respond because of underactivity