The Australian Thyroid Foundation 

GOLD BOW DAY 2026 

Reminds us to be aware of Thyroid Cancer symptoms!

Media Release

Thyroid cancer rates continue to rise in Australia, with recent national data showing a growing number of diagnoses among younger Australians, particularly those in their early 30s, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 

The Australian Thyroid Foundation want all Australians to be aware of how important it is to Check Your Neck and be Aware of Thyroid Changes and Symptoms!

If you are experiencing any changes to the area of your neck around your thyroid gland, or have any of the symptoms listed below, ensure you make an appointment with your doctor. Ask for a Thyroid Ultrasound to be ordered, which will determine or eliminate any concern.

The physical health of the thyroid gland can only be determined by asking your doctor to order a Thyroid Ultrasound. A Thyroid Ultrasound shows the size, shape and texture of the gland and if any nodules have developed on the gland. Without a Thyroid Ultrasound, thyroid cancer may be overlooked or dismissed.

Do Not Ignore Any of the following symptoms

• If your thyroid gland has enlarged or become painful
• If you can feel or can see any lumps on your thyroid gland
• You have developed a persistent cough, or you constantly clear your throat
• Your voice has changed in volume or has become hoarse
• You have trouble swallowing or sleeping due to discomfort in your throat
• Your thyroid function blood tests have changed, resulting in hypo or hyper thyroid symptoms

Thyroid Function Blood Tests determine how your thyroid gland is functioning, or if your prescribed dose of Levothyroxine is adequate. Blood tests also determine if you have a Thyroid Autoimmune Disease – Hashimoto’s or Graves’ Disease. A Thyroid Ultrasound determines the physical health of the thyroid gland. 

Read More about Thyroid Cancer and why the Australian Thyroid Foundation’s Gold Bow Day raises awareness about the importance of knowing the physical health of your thyroid gland. Prevention and Awareness is the message.  Please do not overlook changes or symptomsand visit your doctor and ask for a Thyroid Ultrasound, which will determine or eliminate any concern. 

Don’t Ignore Thyroid Cancer & Your Thyroid Health.

Support the Australian Thyroid Foundation and ORDER A GOLD BOW DAY! Wear it with pride to show others you are aware!

Buy A Gold Bow Today!

The Sydney Morning Herald recently published an article,“Why thyroid disorders can often be missed – or dismissed” highlighting how symptoms of thyroid disease are often overlooked or mistaken for other conditions.

We're pleased that the Australian Thyroid Foundation is briefly mentioned in the piece, helping raise awareness of the importance of recognising thyroid disorders and seeking appropriate care.

Read the article here

Graves’ Disease is an autoimmune thyroid condition that causes the thyroid gland to become overactive (hyperthyroidism). Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential, as untreated Graves’ Disease can have serious effects on heart function, bone health, and the eyes.

Patients diagnosed with Graves’ Disease are typically referred to an endocrinologist who specialises in thyroid disorders for expert treatment and ongoing management of their condition.

In this interview, Professor Roderick Clifton-Bligh — Endocrinologist and Medical Advisor to the Australian Thyroid Foundation — speaks with the Super Radio Network about Graves’ Disease and the importance of 2026 Thyroid Awareness Month.

Listen to the Audio Interview

Beverley Garside, CEO of the Australian Thyroid Foundation, speaks with Dave Cockran on the Super Radio Network about the ATF’s 2026 Thyroid Awareness Month and the importance of raising awareness of thyroid health across Australia.

Hear the Full Interview

️ Tune in to hear Beverley Garside speaking with Alan Field on Monday Drive at Eastside Radio for an important conversation about Thyroid Awareness Month.

Listen to the Interview

Raising awareness, sharing insights, and highlighting the importance of thyroid health across Australia.

media release

Don’t risk not knowing if your newborn has Congenital Hypothyroidism. No newborn should miss out on the Newborn Heel Prick Test

The ATF 2026 Thyroid Awareness Month brings attention to the fact that no newborn should miss out on the Newborn Heel Prick Test.

Without testing Congenital Hypothyroidism can be easily missed. It is essential the test is performed on Day 2 or 3 of life.

Congenital Hypothyroidism usually results when a baby is born without a thyroid gland, or the thyroid gland does not develop completely. There can be other causes of this disorder. There is not always a clear reason why a baby is born with Congenital Hypothyroidism, however a genetic mutation can be the reason. Iodine Deficiency can also play a part as well.

Newborn detection of Congenital Hypothyroidism is determined by way of the Newborn Heel Prick Test. This test is usually done on Day 2 -3 of life and is essential to determine genetic disorders in newborns, says Beverley Garside CEO -Australian Thyroid Foundation.

At present, all states of Australia follow different protocols for the Heel Prick Test which is currently not mandatory, resulting in babies missing out on the test. The Australian Thyroid Foundation supports mandatory testing throughout Australia for all newborns and support the petition for national mandatory testing. Don’t risk not knowing — Sign the petition here 

The Heel Prick Test includes the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) test which will determine your newborn’s thyroid health status. This test should be performed routinely on all newborn babies throughout Australia. Without this test, a congenital thyroid disorder can easily be overlooked, says Professor Mu Li – ATF Medical Advisor.

It is crucial all newborns are tested within the first a few days of birth. Any delays can lead to severe developmental issues, including loss of IQ. To confirm a congenital hypothyroidism diagnosis, a blood test is then performed with blood taken from a vein, after an elevated TSH heel prick test. Children who have been diagnosed with Congenial Hypothyroidism are treated by a Paediatric Endocrinologist with regular monitoring and testing through their developing years, says Professor Mu Li.

Not all babies are tested, here are why:

• Parents decline the test
• Discharge from hospital before the test
• Failure to follow up testing
• Home births instead of hospital

The Australian Thyroid Foundation support mandatory testing throughout Australia with all states complying to the same protocols.

For more information

• Thyroid Awareness Month
• Congenital Hypothyroidism

About the Australian Thyroid Foundation

The Australian Thyroid Foundation (ATF) is the national thyroid patient organisation. 2025 marked the 30th Anniversary of the ATF supporting and educating its members and raising awareness throughout Australian community about the benefits of Good Thyroid Health and the importance of Prevention of Iodine Deficiency,

The ATF is proud to have reached this milestone and look forward to continuing to reach out to future generations with the many services offered by the ATF.

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Beverley Garside CEO, Australian Thyroid Foundation

M: 0416 269 982 | E: beverley@thyroidfoundation.org.au

Do you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis? 
Are you prescribed thyroxine? 
Do you still experience hypothyroid symptoms? 

If you answered yes to the 3 questions above, we invite you to participate in a placebo-controlled study investigating whether low dose naltrexone added to usual thyroxine treatment improves quality of life in people living with hypothyroidism? 

Naltrexone is an approved medication for the treatment of alcohol and opioid dependence. However, naltrexone given in a lower dose may have anti-inflammatory effects that may be beneficial to patients with autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s disease. 

For more information, please contact: 

Dr. Christopher Muir FRACP, PhD

Email: christopher.muir@svha.org.au 

Download Recruitment Flyer

Download Participant Information Sheet

This study has been approved by: St. Vincent’s Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee.

As over 1 million Australians Are Living with an Undiagnosed Thyroid Disorder, Don’t Become a Statistic!

Correct Testing and Diagnosis is essential to ensure the correct treatment is prescribed.

Download Media Release

The Thyroid Gland is the powerhouse which gives the body and mind energy to perform!

From conception to death, without a healthy thyroid function, our wellbeing and general health can be affected by a sluggish thyroid function.

Our Thyroid Gland needs an adequate amount of daily ingested iodine from iodine enriched foods to produce enough hormones for its function.  Without it, our thinking, our energy and our general health can be greatly affected.

To protect your family from iodine deficiency and the consequences of a sluggish thyroid function, ensure you include iodine enriched foods on your shopping list.  Foods which are enriched with iodine; dairy milk and dairy products – something milk substitutes don’t include, seafood, iodised salt for cooking and for the table – other salts such as Himalayan don’t include.  Commercially made breads are made using iodised salt, says Beverley Garside, ATF Chief Executive Officer.

Australian Government Health Department (NHMRC), strongly recommend women during childbearing years ensure they include a daily pregnancy supplement which includes at least 150mcgs of iodine, to protect the pregnancy and the development of the foetus.  A daily supplement including iodine, together with an iodine enriched diet, is recommended for women contemplating pregnancy, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  Thyroid function testing before, during and after pregnancy are also essential to ensure your thyroid hormone levels are adequate during this time, says Professor Creswell Eastman, ATF Principal Medical Advisor.

As we age, our body and mind can slow, without knowing why!  Don’t ignore the importance of a balanced diet which includes iodine enriched foods and use iodised salt for cooking and the table.  A low daily iodine intake could affect your thyroid gland production!  To ensure you have enough energy and you feel the best you can, make sure your diet includes iodine enriched foods.

Statistics show over 1 million Australian are living with an undiagnosed thyroid disorder, which an iodine enriched diet could help prevent!  Don’t become part of the statistics and ensure you include iodine enriched foods in your household’s daily diet!

Click here for more information

About the Australian Thyroid Foundation:

Since 1995 the Australian Thyroid Foundation has been supporting its members with advocacy, education and awareness.  

The Australian Thyroid Foundation continues to reach out and raise awareness Australia wide about the benefits of good thyroid health and why the prevention of iodine deficiency is so important.  The Australian Thyroid Foundation look forward to continuing to support future generations of Australians.

 

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Beverley Garside

Australian Thyroid Foundation

M: 0416 269 982  |   E: beverley@thyroidfoundation.org.au

Media Release

Avoid Iodine Deficiency with Healthy Food Choices

The Thyroid Gland is the powerhouse which gives the body and mind energy to perform!  

From conception to death, without a health thyroid function, our wellbeing and general health can be affected by a sluggish thyroid function.

Our Thyroid Gland needs an adequate amount of daily iodine enriched foods to produce enough hormones for its function.  Without it, our thinking, our energy and our general health can be greatly affected.

To protect your family from iodine deficiency and the consequences of a sluggish thyroid function, ensure you include iodine enriched foods on your shopping list.  Foods which are enriched with iodine; dairy milk and dairy products – something milk substitutes don’t include, seafood, iodised salt for cooking and for the table – other salts such as Himalayan don’t include iodine and commercially made breads which are made using iodised salt, says Beverley Garside, ATF Chief Executive Officer.

Australian Government Departments of Health, strongly recommend women of childbearing years ensure they include a daily pregnancy supplement including at least 150mcgs of iodine, to protect the pregnancy and the development of the foetus.  A daily supplement including iodine, together with an iodine enriched diet, is recommended for women contemplating pregnancy, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  Thyroid function testing before, during and after pregnancy are also essential to ensure your thyroid hormone levels are adequate during this time, says Professor Creswell Eastman, ATF Principal Medical Advisor.

Tobacco smoking, too much alcohol and other substances can all have an affect on a supposedly healthy person’s thyroid gland health.  Especially if they have a family history of thyroid disorders and it is possible they could develop a thyroid autoimmune disease.   

As we age, our body and mind can slow, without knowing why! Don’t ignore the importance of a balanced diet which includes iodine enriched foods and use iodised salt for cooking and the table. A low daily iodine intake could affect your thyroid gland production!  To ensure you have enough energy and you feel the best you can, make sure your diet includes iodine enriched foods.   

Statistics show over 1 million Australians are living with an undiagnosed thyroid disorder, which an iodine enriched diet could help to prevent! Don’t become part of the statistics and ensure you include iodine enriched foods in your household’s daily diet! 

Click here for more information.

Patient's Medication Choice of Brand

Pharmacist regulations changed this year.  Pharmacists are now permitted to dispense bio-equivalent formulas of medications to patients on a generic basis when the 'Brand Substitution Box" has not been ticked on a prescription.  The ATF continue to receive complaints from patients who have been given a different brand that what they usually take and have been prescribed.

It is now becoming a serious problem, as pharmacists quite often:

• Change brands/formulas, without consulting first with patients
• Patients can be told their original brand has been discontinued
• Patients can be told their thyroid medication no longer needs refrigeration when given a different brand/formula to the one they usually take
• Patients are not told that while certain brands/formulas are listed as being biologically equivalent that does not mean they are interchangeable in any given patient.

Patients are often confronted and in some cases bullied into taking a brand the pharmacist has chosen to stock, instead of the patient's original brand and the one that works for them.

They are not all the same, even though they may be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits List as being biologically equivalent!

The active ingredient of brands/formulas can vary from one brand to another, as can the excipients and therefore they are not all the same, which pharmacists should know.

Patients have a choice of brand, which their treating doctor has prescribed based on their medical history, diagnosis and performance of a particular brand/formula. This must continue to be respected by pharmacists to ensure patients continue to benefit, feel well and their thyroid health is not compromised. Thyroid conditions vary from thyroid cancer, to thyroidautoimmune disease, pregnancy and thyroid and more. Doctors base their prescribed brand/formula on a patient's diagnosed condition, blood results and the best brand/formula they believe will benefit the patient and carefully adjust the dosage of that particular brand of Levothyroxine until they achieve an optimal result with an individual patient.

The ATF recommends patients should continue on their original brand. A brand/formula should only be changed after a patient has consulted their treating doctor and if the doctor believes it is necessary, not changed on a pharmacist discretion.  New brand/formulas should only be dispensed to patients who are newly diagnosed or when the treating doctor believes there is a medical reason to change to another brand of medication.

Pharmacists are not thyroid specialists, do not know the patient's medical history or diagnosed thyroid disorder and therefore should do what they are there for, to dispense a prescribed medication.