Friends of the ATA
Welcome to our 6th year of Clinical Thyroidology for Patients, bringing to you, the patient, the most up-to-date, cutting edge thyroid research. What you read here as research studies will likely become the accepted practice in the future. Clinical Thyroidology for Patients is published on a monthly basis and includes summaries of research studies that were discussed in a recent issue of 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 almost as soon as your physicians.

We will be continuing to provide even faster updates of late-breaking thyroid news through Twitter @thyroidfriends and on Facebook. Our goal is to provide you with the tools to be the most informed thyroid patient in the waiting room. Please feel free to submit questions as well as suggestions as to how we can better serve thyroid patients.

 

Clinical Thyroidology for Patients
Up-to-date information to help you understand thyroid disease through the latest research.

In this issue, the studies ask the following questions:

• Does untreated subclinical hypothyroidism lead to heart disease in the elderly?
• Should thyroid scans still be used in investigating thyroid nodules?
• Does the Bethesda classification for thyroid biopsies lead to effective management of thyroid nodules?
• How often does surgical lobectomy lead to hypothyroidism?
• Can PTH levels help predict the need for calcium supplementation after thyroid surgery?

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

HYPOTHYROIDISM Untreated subclinical hypothyroidism may not increase the risk of developing heart disease in the elderly THYROID NODULES Should thyroid scans still be used in investigating thyroid nodules? THYROID NODULES The Bethesda classification for thyroid biopsies is effective for clinical management of thyroid nodules

HYPOTHYROIDISM Patients undergoing a surgical lobectomy require long-term follow-up to detect postoperative hypothyroidism THYROID SURGERY A single PTH measurement on the first postoperative day predicts the need for calcium supplementation following thyroid surgery

The goal of our Alliance is to provide accurate and reliable information for patients about the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of thyroid diseases.

We look forward to future collaborations and continuing to work together towards the improvement of thyroid education and resources for patients.

Support thyroid research and education today with your donation to the ATA! The ATA exists to serve you by supporting educational information and clinical management guidelines for physicians and patients. Your contribution supports: ATA sponsored Clinical Management Guidelines available free online The latest in Thyroid Health Education for patients and the public Scientific research dedicated to advancing patient care Top-notch endocrinologists from around the world listed on physician referral for patients Publications of the latest clinical research: Clinical Thyroidology and Clinical Thyroidology for Patients You are appreciated by the American Thyroid Association for your contribution!