Physicians Call For Better Understanding Of Link Between Genetics And Thyroid Disease (NAPSA)—Most Americans are aware that heart disease and can- cer patients may be genetically predisposed to these conditions, but according to a national survey released by the American Associa- tion of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), more than three-fourths (76 percent) of the population do not know that thyroid disease runs in families. To counteract this lack of awareness, and encourage Ameri- cans to uncover their family health history to discovertheir atrisk medical conditions, AACE has launched a new campaign, “The Neck’s Generation: Thyroid Gene- alogy,” to educate the public about the genetic links associated with thyroid disease. The Neck’s Generation rf @ her diagnosis as soon as she went on medication, I would not have known the symptoms to look for— nor would I have realized my daughter wasalso atrisk.” The thyroid is a butterfly- shaped gland located in the neck, just below the Adam’s apple and above the collarbone. Left untreated, thyroid disease causes serious long-term complications such as elevated cholesterol levels and subsequent heart disease, Research showsthat there is a strong genetic link between thyroid disease and other autoim- infertility, muscle weakness and types of diabetes, anemia and arthritis. In fact, thyroid disease affects more than 13 million herit the thyroid disease gene. mune diseases including certain Americans, yet more than half remain undiagnosed. “AACE’s call to action is for each American to educate them- selves about their family health history and how it can affect their chances of developing a thyroid disorder. If thyroid disease or other autoimmunediseases run in their family, a conversation with their doctor and a simple blood osteoporosis. “Fifty percent of thyroid disease patients’ offspring will in- Since the thyroid glandis critical to every cell, tissue and organ in the body, it is very important for Americans to get tested for thy- roid disease—especially if they are experiencing some of the most common symptoms like fatigue, forgetfulness, depression and changes in weight and appetite,” says Hossein Gharib, M.D., F.A.C.E, president-elect of AACE and Professor of Medicine at the test can rule out their risk for thy- Mayo Medical School. According to the AACE survey, AACE. “Communication was the key that allowed both myself and my American population has never roid problems,” says Rhoda Cobin, M.D., F.A.C.E., and president of more than half (56 percent) of the with hypothyroidism. “If my been tested for thyroid disease. The millions who remain undiagnosed reflect the widespread lack of awareness of this serious condition that is easily treatable by taking a levothyroxine sodium pill tive thyroid, and I hadn’t discussed moneto its normallevel. daughter to get early diagnoses of thyroid disease,” said Wanda Rock- well of Waldwick, N.J., a patient mother, who also has an underac- once a day to restore thyroid hor-
