JANUARY IS Thyroid Awareness Month. Nurses can rely on the following resources to educate patients with thyroid disorders about signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

American Thyroid Association

http://www.thyroid.org

This educational website is designed to help patients and the public learn more about thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer, postpartum thyroiditis, and more. Patient education brochures are available for download. The page for consumers offers links to help patients find answers to frequently asked questions, a free newsletter, and thyroid specialists.

Healthy Women

http://www.healthywomen.org/condition/thyroid-disorders

Healthy Women's website focuses on how thyroid disorders affect women, who are five to eight times more likely to have thyroid problems than men. The site has sections dedicated to healthy living, pregnancy and parenting, thyroid disorders at midlife and beyond, and expert responses to common questions. Patients can also find publications with helpful information on such topics as how to talk with a healthcare provider.

Hormone Health Network (HHN)

http://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/thyroid

The "diseases & conditions" section of HHN's website provides fact sheets and patient guides for some of the most common thyroid disorders, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. HHN also provides a short section on lifestyle that discusses how patients can get the most from therapy and prevent problems while undergoing treatment.

Medline Plus

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/thyroiddiseases.html

This is a great resource for patients who want to learn more about the endocrine system and thyroid dysfunction. Besides the basics on diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and screening options, it provides sections for specific thyroid disorders and related healthcare issues.