[January 22, 2013]

Suffering From Hypothyroidism?

The symptoms can run the gamut, from chronic fatigue, depression and impaired memory to dry hair and skin, hoarse voice and elevated cholesterol levels. And the causes can range from severe iodine deficiency to the surgical removal of the thyroid to thyroiditis, an autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland.

Whatever the source for the estimated 4.6 percent of the U.S. population age 12 and over suffering from hypothyroidism - a condition marked by the decrease in production and secretion of thyroid hormones - medication adherence is critical to restoring proper functioning to the body.

That's why the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) has launched its SAME/SAME/SAME information campaign during January's Thyroid Awareness Month. The initiative reinforces the importance of thyroid patients taking the same dosage of the same medication at the same time every day.

Even the slightest variance in the manufacturer of the prescription (whether generic or brand name), the time of days meds are taken or the medication dosage can interfere with the delicate balance thyroid medications are designedto achieve, sending the body into a tailspin and resulting in a host of side effects that can range from mildly uncomfortable to severe. The thyroid gland affects the functioning rate of every cell in the body. Thyroid hormones influence every organ, tissue and cell in the body and control heart rate, body weight, body temperature, energy level, muscle strength and more.

To support the effort, AACE has created a dedicated section on its www.thyroidawareness.com website. Consumers can go to MyPillCheck to visually compare the pills they received from their pharmacy with an easy-to-use, searchable photo gallery of more than 100 thyroid medications to ensure the correct pill and dosage prescribed has been received.

AACE's 2013 thyroid awareness efforts are supported through a sponsorship from AbbVie.

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) represents more than 6,500 endocrinologists in the United States and abroad. AACE is the largest association of clinical endocrinologists in the world. The majority of AACE members are certified in Endocrinology and Metabolism and concentrate on the treatment of patients with endocrine and metabolic disorders including diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, growth hormone deficiency, cholesterol disorders, hypertension and obesity. For more information, visit the AACE website at www.aace.com, become a fan on Facebook (News - Alert) at www.facebook.com/theaace or follow AACE on Twitter (News - Alert) at www.twitter.com/theaace.

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