Thyroid Awareness Month 2004

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
American Thyroid Association

Editorial Background

The endocrine system is made up of glands throughout the body which regulate the function, growth and development of tissues and organs by secreting chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream. When endocrine disorders develop, too much or too little hormone is secreted by a specific gland because the gland stops functioning properly, either due to illness, surgical removal or natural causes.

For example, thyroid dysfunction occurs when the thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck, produces either too much or too little thyroid hormone therefore impacting metabolism. The clinical endocrinologist diagnoses subtle and overt thyroid disease and then treats it by regulating the hormone production or levels with medication or other treatments.

Clinical endocrinologists are physicians with special education, training and expertise in the complex disorders of the endocrine system. These physicians devote their clinical practices to providing the highest standard of diagnosis and care to patients with endocrine disease, including diabetes, thyroid disease, reproductive disorders, obesity, osteoporosis, hypertension, cholesterol and lipid abnormalities as well as pituitary, parathyroid and adrenal conditions.

Because of the complex nature and variability of many endocrine disorders, comprehensive evaluations and extended follow-up care are often necessary. This, plus the long-term nature of many endocrine illnesses, makes the patient-physician partnership essential to quality endocrine care.

In addition to providing patient care, endocrinologists are also at the forefront of medical research, playing an important role in many major health issues, including diabetes, infertility, hypertension, cholesterol disorders, osteoporosis, growth and geriatric disorders. They play an integral part in maintaining the total health of the patient, due to the critical role of the endocrine system throughout the body.

About The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) is a professional medical organization consisting of more than 6000 practicing clinical endocrinologists devoted to furthering patient care in the field of endocrinology. The mission of AACE is to heighten awareness of underlying endocrine diseases, to improve the public’s understanding of the function of a clinical endocrinologist, to demonstrate the added value of the clinical endocrinologist in the treatment of endocrine disease. The goal of AACE is to improve the quality of care available to patients with endocrine disease.

All members of AACE are fully licensed physicians and fully trained in endocrinology. The majority are board certified in internal medicine and subspecialty certified in adult or pediatric endocrinology. Members of AACE are recognized clinicians and educators, and many are affiliated with medical schools and universities. Members of AACE contribute on a regular and continuing basis to the scientific literature on endocrine diseases and conduct medical education programs on this subject.

For more information on AACE, please visit our website at: www.aace.com or www.powerofprevention.com.

About The American Thyroid Association

The American Thyroid Association (ATA) provides outstanding leadership in thyroidology by promoting excellence and innovation in clinical care, research, education, and public policy. Founded in 1923, the ATA is a professional society of 900 U.S. and international physicians and scientists who specialize in the research and treatment of thyroid diseases. The ATA is dedicated to promoting scientific and public understanding of the biology of the thyroid gland and its disorders, so as to improve methods for prevention, diagnosis, and management. The ATA fosters excellence in research, patient care, and education of patients, the public, and the medical and scientific communities. The ATA also guides public policy about the prevention and management of thyroid diseases.

For more information on ATA, please visit thier website at: www.thyroid.org.