Activity Title

Thyroid Disease: A Mental Health Perspective

Educational Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

1. Explain the diagnostic challenges associated with Graves’ Disease from a mental health perspective.
2. Describe the relationship between hyperthyroidism and potential mental health disorders.
3. Discuss the importance of psychosocial considerations in the treatment of hyperthyroidism (i.e. Graves; Disease).

Target Audience

This activity is intended for medical professionals who have a clinical interest in thyroid disorders as seen in the following medical specialties: primary care (IM, FP, and GP), neurology, psychiatry, internal medicine, endocrinology, obstetrics/gynecology, cardiology, pediatrics, laboratory medicine, nuclear medicine, ophthalmology, and sleep medicine.

Statement of Need/Program Overview

In addition to a multitude of physical symptoms and signs, there are also high incidences of mental health issues associated with thyroid dysfunction. Because of its regulatory effects on neurotransmitters, hypothalamic and pituitary hormones, e.g. serotonin, cortisol, etc., correlations have been noted between thyroid-related hormone serum levels, depression, anxiety and impaired quality of life. Mental symptoms may persist even after normalization of thyroid function with treatment. Psychosocial factors associated with mental disorders have been attributed to hyperthyroidism. Psychosomatic approaches are important for the treatment of mental disorders associated with autoimmune-induced Graves’ disease. In the case of delayed diagnosis or non-diagnosis of Graves' Disease, the negative social consequences of these mental health issues are profound. In this educational activity, Gail Devers, an elite track and field athlete and Olympic gold-medalist, describes her physical and mental health experiences prior to being diagnosed with Graves’ disease. She also emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy when interacting with medical providers including mental health therapists.

Faculty

George J. Kahaly, MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology / Metabolism
Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Medical Center
Mainz, Germany

Deborah F. Bump, NP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
University of Illinois Hospital
Chicago, Illinois

Guest Speaker

Gail Devers
Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist
Graves’ Disease Patient & Patient Advocate

Program Agenda

Educational Presentation (60 minutes)
Post Test and Evaluation (5 minutes)
Total Activity:(65 minutes)

Please note

This is the second of two (2 of 2) in a video series, and we recommend watching in the following order for the
best experience:

1. (Start here) Thyroid Disease: Diagnostic Challenges
2. (Second - this program) Thyroid Disease: A Mental Health Perspective

In this e-learning Thyroid Disease: A Mental Health Perspective, Dr. Kahaly references key concepts from
Diagnostic Challenges. Watching the second video first may lead to confusion.

European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME)

EACCME Accreditation Statement

The “Thyroid Disease: A Mental Health Perspective", made available and organized by Dane Garvin Ltd., is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) to provide the following CME activity for medical specialists. 

Only those e-learning materials that are displayed on the UEMS-EACCME® website have formally been accredited.

EACCME Term Offering

July 29, 2025 to July 29, 2027

Through an agreement between the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert EACCME® credits to an equivalent number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM . Information on the process to convert EACCME® credit to AMA credit can be found at https://edhub.ama-assn.org/pages/applications.

Information regarding the conversion of EACCME® credits
Credit will be converted based on one (1) hour of participation equalling one credit for all activities. Physicians wishing to convert EACCME® credits to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ will be required to access the AMA website at https://edhub.ama-assn.org/pages/applications to obtain the necessary paperwork and instructions. Physicians and other health care professionals will be required to pay a processing fee to the AMA.

For other countries, please contact the relevant national/regional accreditation authority.

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Accreditation

AAFP Accreditation Statement
The AAFP has reviewed Thyroid Disease: A Mental Health Perspective and deemed it acceptable for up to 1.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credit(s). Term of Approval is from 05/15/2026 to 05/15/2027. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Other Allied Healthcare Professional

Participation Statement
Dane Garvin Ltd. has awarded 1.0 Participation Credit(s) for qualified attendees in the enduring activity Thyroid Disease: A Mental Health Perspective.

Educational Grant

This educational activity is independently produced and is financially supported with an unrestricted educational grant by QuidelOrtho.

Copyright

Copyright^© Dane Garvin Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Permission for use granted to accreditation providers.

Web interface provided by Dane Garvin Ltd.