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Thyroid Specialists from Washington to join with national
experts to hold free Thyroid Educational Forum for patients and
the general public.
Organized by the American Association
of Clinical Endocrinologists and
the ATA Alliance for Patient Education:
American Thyroid Association, the Thyroid Foundation of
America, ThyCa: Cancer Survivors’ Association, the Light of
Life Foundation, and the National Graves’ Disease Foundation
On Thursday May 19 at 6:30 PM the citizens of Washington, D.C.
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 join with thyroid patients to present
an interactive Educational Thyroid Forum at the Marriott Wardman
Park Hotel in Washington.
The thyroid specialists are in Washington to attend the Annual
Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.
The Patient Forum for the citizens of Washington is one of a series
of community outreach educational programs presented by the nonprofit
Thyroid Foundation of America, the American Thyroid Association,
Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association (ThyCA), the Light of Life
Foundation for patients with thyroid cancer, and the National Graves’
Disease Foundation in association with the American Association
of Clinical Endocrinologists.
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 Washington, D.C. an opportunity
to learn about these very important thyroid disorders."
Driving
Directions
Wardman Park Marriott Hotel
2660 Woodley Road, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
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