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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 10, 2006 |
For more information, please contact the ATA at thyroid@thyroid.org. |
Get Informed About Recognizing, Preventing, and Treating
Thyroid Problems
January is Thyroid Awareness Month
FALLS CHURCH, VA – Promoting awareness and an understanding of thyroid health is the goal of thyroid specialists every day but especially in January, which is Thyroid Awareness Month. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is cooperating with the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) in the kickoff of this 12th annual campaign.
This year’s theme — “Thyroid Imbalance? Target Your Numbers” — highlights the importance of the TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and free T4 (thyroxine) tests, simple blood tests that measure the appropriateness of the thyroid gland’s hormone production.
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland found just below the Adam’s apple. It makes thyroid hormones, which are chemicals that affect the function of many of the body’s organs, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and skin.
“The thyroid is incredibly powerful,” said Ernest Mazzaferri, MD, ATA President. “Hormone imbalances in the thyroid or other thyroid problems affect many functions of the body, from weight gain to depression to infertility.”
Diseases of the thyroid are very common and affect millions of Americans each year. “Hypothyroidism — an underactive thyroid — and hyperthyroidism — an overactive thyroid — are common thyroid disorders that can be accurately diagnosed with laboratory tests and are readily treatable,” said Alan Farwell, MD, Chair of the ATA’s Alliance for Patient Education.
The ATA has developed guidelines for physicians in diagnosing, testing, and treating thyroid conditions. “The ATA is committed to educating physicians and patients about identifying and treating thyroid diseases,” said Gregory Brent, MD, ATA Secretary. “The recommended approach includes screening adults, especially women, as well as aggressively identifying individuals at risk for developing thyroid disease based on family history or other medical conditions.”
Journalists and patients can find information, including press materials, medical guidelines, and patient brochures in English and Spanish at www.thyroid.org, www.aace.com, and www.powerofprevention.com.
The American Thyroid Association is a nonprofit professional medical society composed of physicians and scientists dedicated to enhancing the understanding of thyroid physiology and pathophysiology, improving diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases, and promoting the education of physicians, patients, and the public about thyroid disorders.
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) is a professional medical organization with more than 5200 members in the United States and 84 other countries. Founded in 1991, AACE is dedicated to the optimal care of patients with endocrine problems, including thyroid disorders.
Thyroid Awareness Month (TAM) is sponsored by AACE in collaboration with the ATA. TAM is supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Abbott Laboratories to AACE.
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