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Thyroid Specialists from Baltimore to join with national
experts to hold free Thyroid Educational Forum for patients and
the general public.
On Wednesday April 13 at 6:30 PM the citizens of Baltimore and
nearby communities will have an opportunity to hear about common
thyroid problems as well as new information from current thyroid
research as thyroid specialists from across America join to present
an interactive Educational Thyroid Forum at the Baltimore Marriott
Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore.
The thyroid specialists are in Boston to attend the Annual Meeting
of the American Thyroid Association. The Patient Forum for the citizens
of Baltimore is one of a series of community outreach educational
programs presented by the nonprofit Thyroid Foundation of America,
Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association (ThyCA), the Light of Life
Foundation for patients with thyroid cancer, in association with
the American Thyroid Association.
Thyroid Problems Are Common with Women at Highest Risk
More than nine million women and four million men have unrecognized
thyroid dysfunction. By the time a woman reaches the age of fifty,
she has a one in ten chance of developing hypothyroidism. One in
twenty women develop an over- or underactive thyroid in the months
immediately after pregnancy. If the condition is unrecognized, it
may remain as a permanent disability for years with symptoms mistaken
for other common problems such as anxiety, hyperactivity, depression,
or chronic fatigue. The condition can be diagnosed by a simple blood
test for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), the pituitary hormone
that normally controls thyroid function. If your thyroid is underactive,
TSH levels rise above normal. If your thyroid is overactive, or
if you are taking too much thyroid hormone, your TSH level will
be low. Thyroid nodules and cancer will be discussed as well. Most
Americans will develop a thyroid nodule in their lifetime. Fortunately
the vast majority of nodules are harmless and there are good techniques
for telling which of them contain cancer. The experts will discuss
these tests, as well as new treatments for cancer of the thyroid.
"We hope that through these educational programs we can teach
patients the symptoms of thyroid disorders and other clues to tell
them whether they are at risk for a thyroid problem at special times
such as following pregnancy and after age fifty," says Dr.
Lawrence Wood, President and Medical Director of the Thyroid Foundation
of America. "We are extremely pleased to have such an eminent
group of thyroid specialists to comment upon presentations made
by thyroid patients. The specialists will also review other important
issues such as the growing problem of iodine deficiency in the United
States and the risks of thyroid nodules and cancers in the event
of nuclear reactor accident."
Who Should Attend the Thyroid Program
According to Dr. Wood, you should plan to attend the Thyroid Forum
if anyone in your family has ever had a thyroid problem, since these
disorders tend to run in families. You should also attend if you
or family members have thyroid-related conditions. These include
autoimmune disorders such as juvenile (Type I) diabetes, pernicious
anemia due to a lack of vitamin B12, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Prematurely gray hair (one gray hair before the age of 30) and bipolar
disease also increase a family’s risk for thyroid problems.
Course is free, but registration advised
Although there will be no charge for the Forum, those who plan
to attend are advised to register by calling the Thyroid Foundation
of America at 800-832-8321. This also helps the physician and patient
groups sponsoring the Forum to be sure that they have enough free
educational materials for the audience. These groups will have displays
attended by knowledgeable representatives who will answer questions
about their programs of education and support for thyroid patients.
“We try not to turn anyone away,” says Dr. Wood, “but
thyroid problems are so common that we are often surprised at the
size of the gathering. Therefore, registration is very helpful.
The Thyroid Foundation of America is honored to be joining with
physicians and educators from these important organizations and
pleased to give the citizens of Baltimore an opportunity to learn
about these very important thyroid disorders.”
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