Treatment of Hyperthyroidism: New Practice Guidelines

Newswise — When the American Thyroid Association holds it 80th Annual Meeting September 23-27, 2009 at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, Rebecca S. Bahn, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, New York, will present an update on American Thyroid Association (ATA) and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) practice guidelines for treating hyperthyroidism. Her presentation is on Sunday, September 27 at 8:00 a.m.

“These guidelines are a work in progress,” emphasizes Dr. Bahn, chair of the Hyperthyroidism Guidelines Task Force developing the guidelines. “Our goal is to develop useful advice for endocrinologist, internists and primary care practitioners by providing evidence-based recommendations where possible.”

The guidelines will offer treatment recommendations for Graves’ disease (in adults and children), treatment of hyperthyroidism due to nodular thyroid disease, drug therapies, the use of radioiodine and thyroidectomy.

The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is the lead organization in promoting thyroid health and understanding thyroid biology. The ATA values scientific inquiry, clinical excellence, public service, education, collaboration, and collegiality.

A non-profit medical society founded in 1923, the ATA fulfills its mission through supporting excellence and innovation in research, clinical care, education, and public health. ATA members are physicians and scientists who work to enhance the understanding of thyroid physiology and pathophysiology, improve the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases, and promote the education of physicians, patients, and the public about thyroid disorders.

The official journal “Thyroid” of the ATA is published monthly. “Clinical Thyroidology” is published online monthly for the benefit of clinicians and scientists around the world.

Thyroid diseases are among the most common disorders of the endocrine system, affecting almost 13 million Americans alone. The ATA has extensive online information for patients on thyroid disease (in English and Spanish) serving the clinician as a resource for patients and the public who look for reliable information on the internet. To further benefit patients, the ATA publishes an online journal “Clinical Thyroidology for Patients.” The Alliance for Patient Education was formed in 2002 to offer an exchange of information between the ATA and patient education groups: ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.; the Light of Life Foundation, and the Graves’ Disease Foundation. A public forum is held each year in conjunction

The 80th Annual Meeting of the ATA will be in Palm Beach, Florida, from September 23-27, 2009 at The Breakers Hotel. All registration and program information is available at http://www.thyroid.org. We welcome your participation.

ATA 6066 Leesburg Pike, Suite 550, Falls Church, VA 22041 * (703) 998-8890 (Fax) (703) 998-8893 * http://www.thyroid.org