'It’s not you. It’s your thyroid.’ Campaign Launched to Raise Awareness of Symptoms

          The information contained in this release is not appropriate for audiences in the USA and Canada.

          - International survey reveals that almost a third of women could not explain what thyroid disorders are
          - Most respondents were unaware that symptoms could be a result of an underlying thyroid disorder

          Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced its support of the 9th International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW), a week that highlights some of the lesser-known aspects of thyroid disorders, which runs from May 22 to 28. This year's ITAW campaign, 'It's not you. It's your thyroid.', highlights the striking similarities between the symptoms of thyroid disorders and the effects of today's fast-paced lifestyles. It is based on results from an international survey commissioned by Merck, in collaboration with Thyroid Federation International (TFI), which reveals many women blame themselves, and their lifestyle choices, for symptoms such as weight changes, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and excessive tiredness, not realizing that a thyroid disorder could be the underlying cause.

          Thyroid disorders affect an estimated 200 million people worldwide and in some countries almost 50% of people remain undiagnosed.[1] Thyroid disorders are 10 times more common in women,[2] by the age of 60, 17% of women will develop hypothyroidism, the most common type of thyroid disorder.[3] If thyroid hormone imbalances are undiagnosed and left untreated, they may have a harmful effect on a person's health and well-being.[4],[5] It is therefore critical that people are aware of the symptoms, and if spotted, they are not ignored.

          The survey involved women in seven countries, and highlighted the tendency of women to blame their lifestyle choices for symptoms that could be caused by a thyroid disorder.[6]  Nearly half (49%) of respondents said they had blamed their lifestyle choices for feeling restless or having difficulty sleeping, while 40% blamed lifestyle choices for feeling depressed, anxious, and tired.[6] In reality, these are common symptoms of a thyroid disorder. This tendency to blame symptoms of lifestyle choices could be further exacerbated by the fact that almost a quarter (23%) of respondents could recall telling a friend or loved one to accept feeling depressed, anxious, or irritable as part of life, while 19% of respondents could recall telling them to accept feeling tired or sluggish every day.[6]

          Ashok Bhaseen, President of TFI, said: "The survey results highlight an important reason why millions of people go through life without being diagnosed or treated for a thyroid disorder, resulting in a poor quality of life. It reveals that thyroid disorders can be the culprit hiding behind the symptoms that many of us put down to today's busy lifestyle. We hope it will encourage more people to speak to their healthcare professional rather than dismissing their symptoms as a normal part of everyday life."

          The aim of the 'It's not you. It's your thyroid.' campaign is to help people recognize that they may be wrongly blaming themselves for their symptoms. Some of the symptoms of too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) are constipation, lack of motivation, lack of concentration, depression, or weight gain.[7] The symptoms of too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) include weight loss and irritability.[8],[9] Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can lead to anxiety, menstrual difficulties, and difficulty sleeping.[7], [8]

          The survey underlined why it can be so difficult to spot a thyroid disorder. Symptoms such as feeling unable to concentrate (29.6%), difficulty getting pregnant (30%), and slow bowel movements and constipation (29%) were not commonly associated with thyroid disorders by respondents.[6] A feature of thyroid disorders that makes them difficult to spot is that the hormones produced in the thyroid gland help regulate many different functions in the body. The symptoms can therefore be diverse and are not specific or unique.[10]

          Simon Sturge, Chief Operating Officer at Merck's Biopharma division, said: "Merck is partnering with TFI on the International Thyroid Awareness Week for the ninth year running. Together, we help to ensure that people have the information they need to recognize potential thyroid disorders and see their doctor, rather than blame themselves and accept how they're feeling. A simple blood test can check whether or not the thyroid gland is functioning normally."

          Campaign materials can be accessed via the campaign website at http://www.thyroidaware.com . These include a brochure and an interactive quiz that address misconceptions about the symptoms of thyroid disorder, and provide information to help people identify if they could be suffering unnecessarily.