Activity Title

Thyroid Disease: Diagnostic Challenges

Statement of Need/Program Overview

This educational activity focuses on the problems associated with the diagnosis of autoimmune-induced hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease (GD). Gail Devers, an elite track and field athlete and Olympic gold-medalist, describes her experience prior to when she was diagnosed with GD when she was training for the Olympics. She describes symptoms of headaches, fatigue, weight loss, muscle pain, abnormal menstrual periods, and other symptoms of general discomfort. She saw several physicians, including a gynecologist and general practitioner, but her symptoms and clinical signs were dismissed and her diagnosis was delayed for several years. The importance of taking a complete history and focusing on the patient’s concerns is emphasized. The value of seeing a nurse practitioner or primary care physician who knows the patient and may have more time to listen to the patient is discussed. The differential diagnosis of Ms. Devers condition is discussed with an emphasis on the possibility of hyperthyroidism. Once hyperthyroidism is diagnosed with low serum thyrotropin (TSH) and GD is confirmed by measuring the specific serological biomarker TSH receptor antibodies (TSH-R-Ab), it is important to review with the patient the nature of the disease, the treatment plan, and the prognosis. Advances in the diagnosis of GD with an emphasis on the importance of measuring anti-TSH-R-Ab is emphasized. Risk factors for GD and other autoimmune diseases, including genetic, environmental, and behavioral are discussed. Ms. Devers emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy when interacting medical providers.

Faculty

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

Shannon K. Idzik, DNP
Professor Organizational Systems and Adult Health
Associate Dean for the DNP Program
University of Maryland School of Nursing
Baltimore, MD

Guest Speaker

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

Educational Objectives

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

1. Explain the diagnostic challenges associated with Graves’ Disease.
2. Describe the preferred diagnostic methodologies for Graves’ Disease.
3. Summarize the risk factors associated with undiagnosed and/or untreated 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: endocrinology, primary care (IM, FP, GP), obstetrics/gynecology, cardiology, pediatrics, laboratory medicine, nuclear medicine, ophthalmology, neurology, psychiatry, and sleep medicine.

Program Agenda

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

European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME)

EACCME Accreditation Statement

“Thyroid Disease: Diagnostic Challenges“, made available and organized by Dane Garvin Ltd., who 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

August 4, 2025 to August 4, 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.

Please note

This is the first of two (1 of 2) in a video series, and we recommend watching in the following order for the
best experience:

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

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Accreditation

AAFP Accreditation Statement
The AAFP has reviewed Thyroid Disease: Diagnostic Challenges 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: Diagnostic Challenges

If you are interested in this topic, we recommend watching episode 2 - Thyroid disease: a mental health
perspective - as well.

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.