By Dr. Anthony Toft

In recent years, thyroid disease has been poorly funded by grant-giving bodies because it is perceived as a group of conditions of low mortality, relatively easily diagnosed and treated. And yet there are so many unanswered problems, such as why these conditions develop in the first place and should it not be possible to modify their progress or prevent them altogether.

It was clear to me when I spoke at a meeting of the Thyroid Foundation of Canada in Toronto in 1995 that there is an almost insatiable appetite among patients for more information about their particular disease. This will challenge the less able and poorly communicative doctors. The marked change in doctor-patient relationships is not confined by national boundaries but is a truly international phenomenon.

There needs to be an international umbrella organisation to ensure common policies and guidelines about the diagnosis and management of thyroid disease and to influence governments about preventing diseases such as iodine-deficient goitre.

Our coming together can only benefit the quality of care for patients in the long term and provide a focus for patients with genuine concerns about their thyroid disease.

Following the Toronto meeting, such a group was born - Thyroid Federation International - of which the Thyroid Eye Disease Association (TED) is a member, thanks to the foresight of TED Founding President Sally Mitchell. This Federation is truly the start of something big.

Dr. Toft is President of the British Thyroid Association, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland. Present at the Toronto meeting, Dr. Toft well understands the need for thyroid organisations to join and work together. He is a staunch supporter of the goals of TFI.