AACE has chosen for their theme this year: “Thyroid Imbalance? Target Your Numbers.” Their objective is to promote TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and Free T4 tests, blood tests that AACE feels are the best way to measure thyroid hormone production. Also supporting AACE's effort is the American Thyroid Association (ATA).
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland found just below the Adam’s apple. It makes thyroid hormones, which are chemicals that affect the function of many of the body’s organs including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin.
“Symptoms often associated with thyroid hormone imbalance, including weight changes, mood swings, and menstrual disturbances, can be rather subtle,” commented AACE President Bill Law, Jr., MD, FACE. “Patients are often unaware that they should ask their doctor to check thyroid blood tests. 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.”
According to the AACE, the TSH test is the single best test to screen for thyroid dysfunction. To further evaluate the appropriateness of a patient’s TSH level, AACE recommends that a Free T4 test be conducted along with a TSH test.
“It is very important for patients with thyroid hormone imbalance to know their TSH and Free T4 numbers. The optimal goal TSH level for patients on treatment ranges between 0.3 to 3.0 mIU/L. Patients should talk to their doctors about their Free T4 numbers, since reference ranges can vary somewhat between different laboratories,” stated Dr. Law.
The AACE's Thyroid Awareness Month activities are sponsored along with ATA and paid for by an unrestricted educational grant from Abbott Laboratories, manufacturer of the thyroid drug, Synthroid.
Source: AACE Press release
