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.

Welcome to an entire issue dedicated to thyroid cancer! This is especially appropriate since ThyCa is holding their annual conference on October 15–17 in Dallas — please see their flyer on page 15 for more details.

The Graves’ Disease Foundation is also holding their annual meeting on October 22–24 in San Diego — please see their flyer on page 16 for more details.

IN THIS ISSUE, STUDIES ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• How aggressive should patients with low risk thyroid cancer be treated?
• Can we identify patients who are at risk for a poorer prognosis at the time of their thyroid biopsy?
• Is lemon juice helpful to protect salivary glands at the time of radioactive iodine treatment?
• Are diagnostic whole body scans helpful in following patients with 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