Friends of the ATA
Welcome to Clinical Thyroidology for Patients, bringing to you, the patient, the most up-to-date, cutting edge thyroid research. What you read here as research studies will likely become the accepted practice in the future. Clinical Thyroidology for Patients is published on a monthly basis and includes summaries of research studies that were discussed in a recent 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.

We will be providing even faster updates of late-breaking thyroid news through Twitter at @thyroidfriends and on Facebook. Our goal is to provide you with the tools to be the most informed thyroid patient in the waiting room. Also check out our friends in the ATA Alliance for Thyroid Patient Education. The Alliance member groups consist of: the American Thyroid Association, the Graves' Disease and Thyroid Foundation, the Light of Life Foundation, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association, Thyroid Cancer Canada and Thyroid Federation International.

Clinical Thyroidology for Patients
Up-to-date information to help you understand thyroid disease through the latest research.

In this issue, the studies ask the following questions:

• What is the relationship between thyroid function and atrial fibrillation?
• Is there an association between thyroid levels in the umbilical cord and brain development?
• Is there a difference in cost between robotic and traditional thyroid surgery?
• What is the role of age in determining prognosis in thyroid cancer patients?
• How frequent is salivary gland dysfunction after radioactive iodine therapy for 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

HYPERTHYROIDISM Does high-normal thyroid function increase risk for atrial fibrillation? HYPOTHYROIDISM Lower total T4 levels in the umbilical cord are associated with higher child brain developmental testing scores THYROID SURGERY Robotic thyroidectomy costs more than standard cervical thyroidectomy

THYROID CANCER Life expectancy in thyroid cancer patients is reduced when age at initial treatment is greater than 45 THYROID CANCER Long-term salivary gland function in thyroid cancer survivors who received radioactive iodine

The goal of our Alliance is to provide accurate and reliable information for patients about the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of thyroid diseases.

We look forward to future collaborations and continuing to work together towards the improvement of thyroid education and resources for patients.

Support thyroid research and education today with your donation to the ATA! The ATA exists to serve you by supporting educational information and clinical management guidelines for physicians and patients. Your contribution supports: ATA sponsored Clinical Management Guidelines available free online The latest in Thyroid Health Education for patients and the public Scientific research dedicated to advancing patient care Top-notch endocrinologists from around the world listed on physician referral for patients Publications of the latest clinical research: Clinical Thyroidology and Clinical Thyroidology for Patients You are appreciated by the American Thyroid Association for your contribution!