CLINICAL THYROIDOLOGY FOR PATIENTS
A publication of the American Thyroid Association

Table of Contents

EDITOR’S COMMENTS

Welcome to the one year anniversary of the current format of Clinical Thyroidology for Patients! We are celebrating with a double issue. In the last 12 months, we have brought to you summaries of the most important research articles published in the field of thyroidology. There have been 26 articles on thyroid cancer, 7 on hyperthyroidism, 7 on nodules and goiter, 6 on TSH and hypothyroidism, 5 on thyroid and pregnancy, 3 on thyroid and the heart and 1 on autoimmune thyroid disease. These articles were published in Clinical Thyroidology, a publication of the American Thyroid Association for physicians. This means that you, the patients, are getting the latest information on thyroid research and treatment at the same time as your physicians. Within each article summary there are links to the relevant ATA Educational Brochures on our website.

We have also brought you summaries of the annual meetings of the patient advocacy groups ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association, Graves’ Disease Foundation and the Light of Life Foundation. Along with the American Thyroid Association, these outstanding patient advocacy groups also make up ATA Alliance for Thyroid Patient Education. The Calendar of Events brings you up-to-the-minute notice of local and national meetings and educational forums for thyroid patients sponsored by the Alliance groups.

IN THIS ISSUE, STUDIES ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

  • Is there an association between thyroid disease, heart disease and death?
  • Does recombinant TSH have a role in the treatment of nodular goiters?
  • Is recombinant TSH effective in treating metastatic thyroid cancer?
  • Is recombinant TSH effective in thyroid remnant ablation with low dose radioactive iodine?
  • Does spread of thyroid cancer to the lymph nodes predict cancer recurrence?
  • What is the role of PET scans in the management of thyroid cancer?
  • Can Vitamin C decrease exposure of salivary glands to I-131 after radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer?
  • Should all pregnant women be screened for thyroid disease?
  • Can molecular analysis improve the diagnostic accuracy of thyroid nodule biopsies?

Our goal with these educational offerings is to empower you to take control of your thyroid health by providing you with the latest accurate and reliable information for patients about the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of thyroid diseases. We welcome your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what you want to see in this publication. I hope you find these summaries interesting and informative.

 

— Alan P. Farwell, MD