The latest issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism has been published, and it's worth checking out to explore some of the latest thyroid-related news and information:

If a woman is breastfeeding and has excessive iodine intake, this may cause hypothyroidism in her infant. (See abstract.)

After thyroid cancer, thyroid patients who have had withdrawal of levothyroxine -- versus use of recombinant TSH (Thyrogen) -- have similar rates of tumor recurrence and persistence. This suggests that for many thyroid cancer patients, use of Thyrogen, rather that withdrawal -- which causes hypothyroidism and resulting symptoms -- may be preferable. (See abstract.)

More Information

• Breastfeeding and Thyroid Disease: Frequently Asked Questions
• Thyroid Cancer

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The International Journal of Cancer recently reported on research coming out of the British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (BCCSS). The study looked at the risk of thyroid cancers in children treated for other cancers.

88% of thyroid cancers developed after exposure to radiotherapy that occurred in or around the thyroid gland. The risk of thyroid cancer was highest after Hodgkin's disease and Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Patients treated with radiation therapy for childhood cancer had a greater than fourfold increased risk of developing thyroid cancer, according to the researchers.

Overall, the research showed that childhood cancer survivors are 18 times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than members of the general population.

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_{Source: Taylor Aliki J. et. al. "Risk of thyroid cancer in survivors of childhood cancer: Results from the British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study," International Journal of Cancer, Volume 125 Issue 10, Pages 2400 - 2405, Published Online: 18 May 2009, Issue November 15, 2009 Abstract}

EHE International and the Light of Life Foundation for thyroid cancer have arranged for a window display at Rockefeller Center throughout November to remind Americans to "Check Your Neck" for thyroid cancer. The display features images from the Light of Life Foundation's public awareness campaign.

In a press release, the Light of Life Foundation president and founder Joan Shey, said: "Awareness is the key to early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer. It's appropriate that as we head into winter and begin to wrap our wool scarves around our necks that we think about checking that vital organ that keeps our bodies regulated."

According to the press release, "Purple scarves, the symbol for LOL, will be prominent in the window display as will butterflies, which are a symbol of the thyroid."

The window display, located at 10 Rockefeller Plaza, may be viewed by the public from November 2, 2009 - November 30, 2009.

More information about the Light of Life Foundation is available online.

WANT TO DO A THYROID NECK CHECK?

Here's how to do a Thyroid Neck Check yourself.

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Jeff Mason, who runs a health care system in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area, exemplifies the typical uninformed attitude about thyroid disease and the connection to weight loss, in his guest article at the Green Bay Press Gazette, titled "Pay for nature, not nurture."

Mason asserts that "The reality is that very little obesity in the U.S. is actually caused by thyroid or other medical problems."

Currently, we have an estimated 60 million Americans with thyroid problems. The vast majority of them have yet to be diagnosed, much less treated. Since undiagnosed and untreated thyroid problems can cause weight gain and obesity, to cavalierly dismiss thyroid problems as Mr. Mason has done -- not to mention, to oversee health care systems that provide lackluster treatment at best of those thyroid patients who have already been diagnosed -- is uninformed and irresponsible -- yet far too common.

Last I checked, Mr. Mason's credentials -- FACHE (Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives) -- do not qualify him to be diagnosing thyroid conditions, or determining whether thyroid disease is a contributing factor to weight gain.

It'd be interesting to see how quickly Mr. Mason would change his tune if he, like many thyroid patients (not to mention others with metabolic and hormonal issues, including diabetics) found himself working out many hours a week, eating 1,000 calories a day or less, and gaining weight every day.

Sadly, Mr. Mason's guest column exemplifies the lackadaisical, blame-the-patient attitude that many health care managers and physicians have about diagnosing thyroid problems, especially in people who are overweight. Poor diagnosis and treatmen tof thyroid disease is one direct cause of the nation's increasing problems with obesity, depression, and heart disease. Mr. Mason should spend more time looking at the implications of failing to diagnose and treat thyroid disease properly, and less time pontificating about personal choice.

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