News & Events

by Kimberly Dorris, GDATF Executive Director

When mainstream magazines and newspapers cover Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and thyroid eye disease, the impact can be a mixed bag. The good news is that these publications have the potential to reach hundreds of thousands of people. A well-timed article could be just the encouragement that a reader needs to finally make a doctor’s appointment – and get started on the path to a diagnosis. The flip side is that when these publications get the facts wrong, the damage is exponentially multiplied. A few years ago, a popular fitness magazine told readers that the cure for thyroid eye disease was radioactive iodine – which is a known risk factor for new onset or worsening TED!

In recent weeks, another publication has been lighting up our Google Alerts with headlines such as “Natural Ways to Cure Your Hypothyroidism”. It’s a popular magazine that you probably spot every week as you as you haul your groceries out of the shopping cart and on to the conveyor belt, contemplating whether to add a Snickers bar or a bag of Doritos. (No judgment here.)

A Role for Self-Care

Now, self-care is an important part of learning to live with a chronic illness. This includes optimizing your food plan and exercise routine – as well as managing stress, setting boundaries, and establishing good sleep habits. The GDATF has a new patient bulletin in the works on the importance of adding self-care to your conventional medical treatment plan. GDATF members will get a first look at the article delivered to their mailboxes later this month. (Your annual membership of $35 comes with two issues of our print newsletter per year – click here to join today!)

But self-care alone won’t cure hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, and lack of appropriate medical treatment can lead to dangerous complications. Your medical team should be your go-to for personally tailored information on treatment options, medication, and dosing. But for general information and support, we hope the GDATF has earned your trust as a critical resource as you navigate this journey!

Expert-Vetted Resources

From our fast facts to our patient bulletins to our webinars to our free monthly e-newsletter (fill out the form on our home page to subscribe), The Graves’ Disease & Thyroid Foundation offers information to meet every need. All of these resources are free to the public, with the exception of our print newsletter.

Physician organizations are another trusted resource – many of these groups include patient information (and often physician finders) on their websites. We encourage you to check out the excellent patient materials offered by the following groups:

• American Thyroid Association. The ATA website offers a physician finder as well as downloadable patient bulletins, including materials in Spanish! The ATA also hosts community forums throughout the year featuring patients and physicians. (Details coming soon for the next event in August!)
• American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. If you are considering thyroid surgery, finding a high-volume surgeon is critical, and the AAES is your go-to resource for locating an experienced surgeon near you. In addition, the AAES offers great patient education materials, including hosting an annual patient webinar with the GDATF!
• Oculofacial Society (Formerly the American Society of Ophthalmic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery). If you are experiencing symptoms of thyroid eye disease (TED), don’t trust your care to the walk-in clinic at your local mall. The experts at the Oculofacial Society can help you understand your medical and surgical options for treatment.
• The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Check out the AACE website for a physician finder as well as patient materials.
• The ENDO Society. One of the leading organizations for research and clinical practice. Includes a physician finder as well as updates on the latest research.

Websites for universities, medical schools, and teaching hospitals are also great sources for credible information. Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic both offer easy-to-read explainers for most medical conditions.

The Bottom Line

Living with a chronic illness day after day is hard. As you stand in line at the grocery store, worn out and hungry, a popular magazine with the promise of a “natural” cure can be just as tempting as the snacks on display. But always read such claims with a critical eye – and in particular, check to see if an article has been medically reviewed. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But you can also check out the Office of Dietary Supplements and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health– two credible National Institutes of Health sites that can help you understand if there’s actual research behind specific claims.

The bottom line? Keep your trusted sources close. And your medical team closer!