World Thyroid Day

The American Thyroid Association (ATA) supports and celebrates the 7th Annual World Thyroid Day, May 25, 2014.

The American Thyroid Association, in cooperation with sister international thyroid societies, the European Thyroid Association (http://www.eurothyroid.com/), the Asia & Oceania Thyroid Association (www.aothyroid.org), and the Latin American Thyroid Society (www.lats.org) , recognizes the 7th Annual World Thyroid Day, May 25, 2014. Established in 2008, World Thyroid Day highlights five major goals to:

  • Increase awareness of thyroid health,
  • Promote understanding of advances made in treating thyroid diseases,
  • Emphasize the prevalence of thyroid diseases,
  • Focus on the urgent need for education and prevention programs, and o Expand awareness of new treatment modalities.

The thyroid gland, butterfly-shaped and located in the middle of the lower neck, produces hormones that influence every cell, tissue and organ in the body. The thyroid hormones regulate the body’s metabolism—the rate at which the body produces energy from nutrients and oxygen—and affects critical body functions, such as energy level and heart rate.

Tens of millions of people worldwide are affected by diseases of the thyroid. The thyroid gland, butterfly-shaped and located in the middle of the lower neck, produces hormones that influence every cell, tissue and organ in the body. The thyroid hormones regulate the body’s metabolism—the rate at which the body produces energy from nutrients and oxygen—and affects critical body functions, such as energy level and heart rate.