- Hypothyroidism is a disease affecting millions which often
goes unrecognized
- Symptoms of hypothyroidism often mistaken for other
diseases
DARMSTADT, Germany,
May 26, 2015 /CNW/ - Merck Serono,
the biopharmaceutical business of Merck, today announced the
support of 7th International Thyroid Awareness Week
(ITAW). This year´s campaign launched today for ITAW is aimed at
alerting millions of people across the world that they could be
unknowingly living with a debilitating and potentially fatal
condition. The condition called hypothyroidism affects just under
4% of the general population, however the prevalence is estimated
to be much higher. Hypothyroidism occurs due to an under-active
thyroid gland, which fails to produce enough thyroid hormones
(thyroxine and
triiodothyronine).[1],[2]
(Logo:
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Low levels of these hormones can cause slowing of heart rate,
feeling tired and physically cold, having trouble with
constipation.[1] Depression
and weight gain are also very common
symptoms.[1] In addition,
fertility can be adversely
affected.[3] An underactive
thyroid gland, when left untreated, can in extreme cases eventually
lead to coma and even
death.[1],[4]
The new campaign is supported by Merck Serono together with
Thyroid Federation International (TFI), and will run during
International Thyroid Awareness Week, which takes place from
May 25 to 31, 2015. The campaign is
entitled HYPOTHRYOIDISM - UNMASKING THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS.
Ashok Bhaseen, President of Thyroid Federation International,
said: "Thyroid disease is very common with an estimated 300 million
currently affected and 1.6 billion people at risk of thyroid
conditions globally. It is estimated that over 50% of those
affected could be unaware of it."
He added: "The thyroid is a small organ, but it has a big
impact. Hypothyroidism causes a great deal of suffering with many
people just putting up with the symptoms. I personally welcome this
awareness campaign to shine a light on hypothyroid disease and
reduce the unnecessary suffering that too many are enduring every
day."
Part of the campaign will emphasize that recognizing
hypothyroidism is difficult because the symptoms can be easily
explained away or be masquerading as another
disease.[4]
Thyroid disorders are ten times more common in women than in
men[5] and there are certain times
in a woman's life that make her more vulnerable to thyroid
disorders,[1] such as during
pregnancy[6],[7]
and menopause.[8]
The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness of hypothyroidism
to encourage people to recognize the symptoms and seek medical
help.
Meeta Gulyani, Head of Strategy and Global Franchises at Merck's
biopharmaceutical division Merck Serono said: "Merck Serono is
delighted to be part of the International Thyroid Awareness Week
which is now an established and highly regarded global awareness
campaign endorsed by the American Thyroid Association (ATA),
the European Thyroid Association (ETA), the Latin
American Thyroid Society (LATS) and the Chinese Society of
Endocrinology (CSE)."
"Our mission at Merck Serono is to transform lives through
medical science and patients' needs are central to all we do. We
are proud to be raising awareness of hypothyroidism in this
campaign with the aim of reducing suffering for many people," she
added.
The initiatives website has been updated with this year´s
campaign and provides further information on thyroid diseases in
general including hypothyroidism http://www.thyroidweek.com
About Thyroid Federation International (TFI)
Thyroid Federation International first convened in Toronto at the 11th International Thyroid
Congress in September 1995.
Diana Meltzer Abramsky, who in 1980
founded the Thyroid Foundation of Canada in Kingston,
Ontario Canada, first advocated the vision of a world
thyroid patient organization to deal with the problems of thyroid
disease in a global perspective. Since then the Federation has
grown to include thyroid organizations in many parts of the world,
including Europe, North and
South America, Australia and Japan. TFI is an independent, worldwide
network of patient-support organizations. The Federation works
together for the benefit of those affected by thyroid disorders by
providing information and raising awareness, by encouraging and
assisting the formation of patient-oriented groups, and by working
closely with the medical professions. TFI has a Medical Advisory
Board, which consists of some of the most eminent thyroid
specialists in the world. For more information, please visit
http://www.thyroid-fed.org/tfi-wp/
About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical business of Merck. With
headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading brands in
150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis,
infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as
cardiovascular diseases. In the United
States and Canada, EMD
Serono operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of Merck
Serono.
Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets
prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in
specialist indications. We have an enduring commitment to deliver
novel therapies in our core focus areas of neurology, oncology,
immuno-oncology and immunology.
For more information, please visit
http://www.merckserono.com.
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Merck is a leading company for innovative and top-quality
high-tech products in healthcare, life science and performance
materials. The company has six businesses - Merck Serono, Consumer
Health, Allergopharma, Biosimilars, Merck Millipore and Performance
Materials - and generated sales of around € 11.3 billion in 2014.
Around 39,000 Merck employees work in 66 countries to improve the
quality of life for patients, to foster the success of customers
and to help meet global challenges. Merck is the world's oldest
pharmaceutical and chemical company - since 1668, the company has
stood for innovation, business success and responsible
entrepreneurship. Holding an approximately 70% interest, the
founding family remains the majority owner of the company to this
day. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany,
holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only
exceptions are Canada and
the United States, where the
company operates as EMD Serono, EMD Millipore and EMD Performance
Materials.
References:
1. British Thyroid Foundation. Your Thyroid Gland. Available at:
http://www.btf-thyroid.org/index.php/thyroid. Last accessed
March 2015.
2. Aoki Y, et al. 2007. Serum TSH and total T4 in the United States population and their
association with participant characteristics: National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-2002). Thyroid.
17(12):1211-23. doi: 10.1089/thy.2006.0235.
3. British Thyroid Foundation. Hypothyroidism. Available at:
http://www.btf-thyroid.org/index.php/thyroid/quick-guide-index/hypothyroidism.
Last Accessed March 2015
4. Garber JR, et al. 2012. Clinical Practice Guidelines for
Hypothyroidism in Adults: Cosponsored by the American Association
of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Thyroid Association.
Available at:
http://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-guidelines/hypothyroidism/. Last
accessed March 2015.
5. British Thyroid Association. 2006. UK Guidelines for the Use
of Thyroid Function Tests. Available at:
http://www.british-thyroid-association.org/info-for-patients/Docs/TFT_guideline_final_version_July_2006.pdf.
Last accessed March 2015.
6. National Women's Health Resource Center. 2006. Thyroid
Disorder and Women. Available at:
http://www.healthywomen.org/sites/default/files/nwhrc_fastfacts_thyroiddisease.pdf.
Last accessed March 2015.
7. The Endocrine Society. Management of Thyroid Dysfunction
During Pregnancy and Postpartum: an Endocrine Society Clinical
Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 97: 2543-2565,
2012.
8. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. 2013.
Thyroid Hormone Missing from Menopause Discussion for Millions of
Women. Available at:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thyroid-hormone-missing-from-menopause-discussion-for-millions-of-women-73403307.html.
Last accessed March 2015.
SOURCE Merck Serono