Thyroid disorders discussed by patients and shown in Australia facts and figures
Statistics show that over 1 million Australians are living with an undiagnosed thyroid disorder. In this Recover/Me episode on Thyroid Disorders, in partnership with The Australian Thyroid Foundation, the consumer audience is made aware Thyroid Disorders affect all Australians of all age groups and demographics.
Awareness is the key to ensuring you do not overlook a thyroid disorder which could be affecting your health and wellbeing.
· 1 in 10 Australians will be affected by some form of thyroid disorder
· 7 of the 10 are women
· Over 1 million Australians are undiagnosed
· 60,000 Australians are diagnosed each year
· Thyroid Cancer is increasing, affecting younger Australians
· Iodine Deficiency & Thyroid Disorders affect pregnancy outcomes for women of childbearing years.
In this episode, 6 patients tell their stories of being treated for thyroid disorders, including some with thyroid cancer. Hosted by the Australian Thyroid Foundation CEO, Beverley Garside, and with the Medical Advisor for the foundation Professor Creswell Eastman. The episode is informative and gives better awareness of symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.
About Thyroid Awareness
May is the time of the year when the Australian Thyroid Foundation’s (ATF) Thyroid Awareness Month, calls upon all Australians to be aware of their thyroid health. The Recover/Me episode is released on World Thyroid Day (WTD), May 25th 2021. A day dedicated to thyroid patients and to all who are committed to the study and treatment of thyroid diseases worldwide.
About the Thyroid
The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck, below the voice box. The thyroid gland is a soft, small bow-shaped gland, below the voice box or larynx (Adam’s Apple) on either side of the trachea (windpipe). Thyroid disease affects women more than men and is usually caused by an autoimmune disease. Iodine deficiency is the most common worldwide cause of thyroid disorders. Along with thyroid auto-immune disease, a low-iodine diet can cause hypothyroidism, an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre), infertility, pregnancy outcomes and foetal brain development. As part of the endocrine system, the thyroid plays a critical role in the healthy function of the body, influencing and regulating the activity of all cells and tissues. A healthy thyroid gland uses ingested iodine from iodine enriched foods to produce thyroid hormones which regulate body and brain growth and development, body temperature, energy levels and metabolic functions.
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Childhood Microtia
Sebastian’s StoryMicrotia and atresia is a rare congenital condition affecting one in every 10,000 births and where one or both ears are missing or when the outer ear has not fully developed. 10 year old Sebastian was born with right side Microtia Atresia and in 2019 had ear reconstruction surgery.
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Recover/Me Pilot (August 2017)
A young Melbourne women who recovered from Multiple Sclerosis which left her paralysed and illusionist Jack Daniels, who uses magic as therapy through David Copperfield’s Project Magic, used in over 1000 hospitals around the world, including Nepean Hospital in Western Sydney, are two inspiring stories in the Recover/Me Pilot Episode.
Amanda Campbell, 37, who worked in the fashion industry and later became a sport kinesiologist and motivational speaker, from Melbourne, went from a 50/50 chance she’d ever walk again to running in six weeks.
Together with a new form of treatment, a team of specialists, the support of her family, in particular her twin sister, and friends – as well as a bucket-load of personal determination, she beat all the odds.
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Stroke in working age adults
30% of all strokes in Australia affect working age adults (those under 65). The impact can be significant in the lives of breadwinners and those in employment at the time of stroke.
