Graves' disease causes an overactive thyroid. That in turn has some symptoms consistent with Dubya's pretzel-choking/fainting spell in January 2002.

-- Feeling of fullness in the throat
-- Enlargement of the thyroid, known as goiter
-- CHOKING ON FOODS
-- Irregularities in blood pressure and heart rate.
-- FAINTING OR DIZZINESS

The onset of Graves' frequently is during times of intense stress. Bush Sr noticed his during the first war against Iraq.

"The President's physicians should be looking carefully at his thyroid antibodies and conducting a complete thyroid bloodwork panel. Of course, Bush should level with the American people on this."

The media has already noticed some weight loss, one sign of Graves'. Some may remember the bug-eyed condition of his mother, who was treated for Graves' and bulging eyes.

This year, Bush put off his annual physical until after the election.

========================
The public will be watching, too, just as they did the debates. Remember Bush's episodes of rapid-eye-blinking during the debates? "It is believed that the swelling [that eventually causes bulging of the eyes] is caused by antibodies attacking the tissues of the eye muscles. There may also be a sensitivity to light, and a continual feeling that there is something in the eyes." Could this be the cause of the rapid-eye-blinking?

OTHER SYMPTOMS

Enlarged thyroid gland -- Should be observable from TV appearances.

Rapid heart beat (tachycardia) or heart palpitations

Smooth, velvety skin -- Should be observable on TV.

Tremor of the fingertips -- Should be noticed by associates and in writing/signature.

Still other symptoms are:

Fatigue

SWEATY PALMS -- The Bush campaign demanded a studio temperature of 70 degrees for the debates.

Weight loss

Fine brittle hair -- This is obvious in Bush photos.

RESTLESSNESS -- Remember Bush prancing about the stage in the debate, nearly bowling over the moderator?

Depression

Increased appetite

Changes in sex drive -- Ask Condi, or Jemima, or whatever her name is.

Muscle weakness, especially in the upper arms and thighs

SHORTENED ATTENTION SPAN -- Did you notice any disconnect between questions asked and answers given by Bush in the debates?

HEAT INTOLERANCE -- The Bush campaign demanded a studio temperature of 70 degrees for the debates.

INCREASED SWEATING -- Not when the studio temperature is kept at 70 degrees.

NERVOUSNESS AND IRRITABILITY -- Remember the eye-blinking and the retort to a reporter who asked a question without saying Mr. President: "Who are you addressing?"

Restless sleep or insomnia -- Gets up at 5 a.m. Doesn't look that ambitious to me.

ERRATIC BEHAVIOR -- This, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, and there are other explanations for this.

Increased frequency of bowel movements -- He has this effect on lots of people -- he could scare the tar out of Hitler.