While the right doctors and treatment can help alleviate both the physical and mental symptoms of Graves’ disease, they aren’t the only resources you can tap into. Here are a few organizations that can provide education, guidance, and advice — allowing you to take control of your symptoms and improve your overall health and well-being.
Graves’ Disease & Thyroid Foundation
The Graves’ Disease & Thyroid Foundation (GDATF) provides education and support to people with Graves’ disease as well as their family members, friends, and caregivers. The organization offers a toll-free hotline that provides one-on-one counseling, and the website lists a physician registry to connect people with Graves’ disease to specialists.
The GDATF website also features webinars, patient stories, news bulletins, and links to information about where to find support groups. GDATF also works to help fund research and provide information and other support to healthcare professionals.
American Thyroid Association
The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is a professional organization that’s comprised of experts in thyroid diseases, including physicians and scientists. The organization helps connect people to endocrinologists and other specialists, provides information about thyroid-related conditions, including Graves’ disease and TED, and publishes research on thyroid diseases.
The ATA also puts out a newsletter that includes thyroid-related news updates, summaries of recent studies in medical journals, invitations to upcoming patient events, and more.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) is a global community of doctors and other professionals who specialize in endocrinology — but its website isn’t just for the pros.
It also features patient resources like an endocrinology care finder and a prescription affordability resource center, where you can find programs that can help you afford endocrine-related medications. The website also provides links to organizations that conduct clinical trials, including ones on Graves’ disease and other endocrine-related conditions.
TED Community Organization
The TED Community Organization is a nonprofit advocacy group that includes individuals with Graves’ eye disease (also known as thyroid eye disease, or TED), their loved ones, and caregivers, medical professionals, and advocates.
Founded and led by people with TED, the TED Community Organization works to provide information about the condition as well as emotional and community support. On its website you will find a slew of services and programs, including online peer support, educational webinars, and patient podcasts.
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