“How’s Your Thyroid? Who Needs to Know?” Two simple questions that could save a life

Newswise — The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) is proud to announce that January is Thyroid Awareness Month. This year’s theme, “How’s Your Thyroid? Who Needs to Know?” is geared toward the fourteen million people living with an undiagnosed thyroid condition by educating them about thyroid disorders, while also helping people already diagnosed to successfully manage their condition. Once again, the American Thyroid Association (ATA) is working in cooperation with AACE to spread the message of thyroid health.

“Symptoms often associated with thyroid hormone imbalance, including weight changes, mood swings, and menstrual disturbances, can be rather subtle,” AACE President Steven Petak, MD, JD, FACE, FCLM said. “Thyroid diseases can develop quite slowly and many patients do not realize that they are ill until they begin treatment and start to feel more energetic and healthy.”

Nicole Buffa, a New Yorker who fought papillary thyroid cancer couldn’t agree more: “The thyroid is such a quintessential part of everyday life. You don’t realize how important your thyroid is to your health until it starts malfunctioning.” Since her recovery, Buffa remains incredibly busy, counseling women diagnosed with thyroid cancer and training for triathlons.

This year’s campaign is breaking media barriers of the twelve campaigns that preceded it. AACE is proud to announce the launch of the AACE Thyroid Awareness page. This is the first interactive website dedicated entirely to “Thyroid Awareness Month.” It offers the latest in thyroid information including a “thyroid assessment quiz” that allows users to think about their likelihood of developing a thyroid condition. They can also read the real patient stories, take the “Thyroid Neck Check” and review the “Top 10 things you should know about your thyroid.”