Thyroid Federation International - ThyroWorld -1.1 Did You Know

Did You Know

From ThyroWorld, Volume 1, No. 1, Autumn, 1997

that thyroid disease affects approximately 5% of the world's population and that all ages can be affected, even a fetus?
that 1.5 billion people in 110 countries around the world, do not have enough iodine in their diet?
that a third of those at great risk from iodine deficiency are children?
that to ensure normal mental and physical development, babies born without sufficient thyroid hormone need to be started on thyroxine replacement before they are 30 days old? Thyroid testing at birth is imperative. TSH is the recommended test. (Guidelines for Newborn Screening and Treatment, European Society of Pediatric Endocrinology, American Academy of Pediatrics)
that thyroid disease may be the most common cause of correctable growth retardation in children?
that iodine deficiency is now recognized as the most common cause of preventable brain damage and mental disability in the world today?
that both mental and physical effects of iodine deficiency can be prevented with the simple use of iodized salt or oil?
that a teaspoon of iodine taken over a lifetime is generally enough to ensure mental and physical health? A small amount but one critical to life.
TFI has pledged a cooperative effort to increase public awareness throughout the world about the need for every baby to have a TSH blood test at birth, the best way to diagnose congenital hypothyroidism and thereby prevent permanent brain damage by early treatment with thyroid hormone. Newborn screening is now universal in the United Kingdom, Canada and the U.S. as well as many developed countries. Unfortunately universal newborn screening is not common in most underdeveloped countries where iodine deficiency often compounds the problem increasing the ultimate waste of life and intellectual function in these children. (L.C. Wood, The Bridge)

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