CLINICAL THYROIDOLOGY FOR PATIENTS
A publication of the American Thyroid Association

Table of Contents

EDITOR’S COMMENTS

Welcome to Clinical Thyroidology for Patients. This publication is a collection of summaries of the top articles from the recent medical literature that cover the broad spectrum of thyroid disorders. Clinical Thyroidology for Patients is published on a monthly basis and includes summaries of research studies that were discussed in the previous month’s 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. The Calendar of Events highlights educational forums and support groups that are organized around the country by members of the Alliance for Thyroid Patient Education. The Alliance member groups consist of: the American Thyroid Association, the Graves’ Disease Foundation, the Light of Life Foundation and ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association.

This month we have our Spotlight On: ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association. This Alliance organization had their annual meeting in Los Angeles in October.

IN THIS ISSUE, STUDIES ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• Are elderly hypothyroid patients at risk for fractures?
• Are hypothyroid patients at increased risk for heart disease?
• When are positive thyroid antibodies clinically useful?
• Can radioactive iodine treatment be avoided in some patients with thyroid cancer?
• What is the significance of small thyroid bed masses left after surgery in patients with thyroid cancer?
• Does size make a difference in Medullary thyroid cancer?

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