More than 75 members and retirees attended a seminar on thyroid disease, part of the UFT Welfare Fund’s ongoing Medical Learning Series. Led by Dr. Edmund Giegerich, the chief of endocrinology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, the May 24 workshop at UFT headquarters provided an overview of thyroid disorders, which affect more than 12 percent of the U.S. population — between 20 and 30 million Americans — at some point in their lives. Sixty percent of those affected will be unaware of their disorder. For that reason, Dr. Giegerich discussed symptoms, which can range from unusual fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, dry skin and depression for hypothyroidism to increased appetite with no weight gain, a racing heartbeat and feeling jittery or restless with hyperthyroidism. Both conditions can result in mental fogginess, poor concentration, and aches and pains. Not treating this common disease can worsen many other medical conditions, he said. Attendees asked questions throughout the presentation. Dr. Giegerich emphasized that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment: Patients should tell their doctors what they are experiencing and together choose the appropriate treatment. “Innovative new medical technology targeted at thyroid conditions,” he said, “has prevented many unnecessary surgeries.”