Merck Serono Supports 4th International Thyroid Awareness Week

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Merck Serono, a division of Merck, Darmstadt, Germany, today announced its support of an awareness campaign on thyroid disorders and possible related cardiovascular risks. The campaign is in conjunction with the fourth annual International Thyroid Awareness Week 2012. Merck Serono and its affiliates worldwide will organize educational activities and public information sessions during May 21-27.Merck Serono has conducted research involving both patients and medical doctors to enhance awareness of the underlying reasons behind the low treatment rate of the condition. Finalized results will be communicated in the coming weeks.

The International Thyroid Awareness Week is supported by Merck Serono in cooperation with Thyroid Federation International, European Thyroid Association, Latin American Thyroid Society, American Thyroid Association,ChineseSociety of Endocrinology, Asia,Oceania and Thyroid Association. In 2011, the third International Thyroid Awareness campaign was successfully rolled out in over 40 countries in collaboration with local patient organizations and members of the medical community.

There are numerous diseases and disorders associated with thyroid, which could develop at any age resulting from a variety of causes; e.g. injury, disease or dietary deficiencies. However, in the majority of cases the disease can be traced back to abnormal thyroid growth, thyroid cancer, or goiters and nodules within the thyroid that could lead to hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) / hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid).

Although the role of Thyroid is highly significant to all metabolic processes in the body, it is often unnoticed so long as it does not pose any problems. From the components derived from blood (primarily iodine) the thyroid forms two hormones that control the overall human metabolism. A person's well-being is dramatically affected when the thyroid's sensitive metabolism is thrown off balance.

Since one of the targets of thyroid hormones is the heart; any thyroid dysfunction could ultimately impact it. In the presence of hypothyroidism the heart will slow down, whilst in the case of hyperthyroidism it speeds up. Both of these problems can have serious consequences.

Thyroid disorders are some of the most frequently occurring diseases in the world with about 1.6 billion people worldwide at risk^[1]. Without treatment thyroid disorders worsen existing heart diseases or could be the cause of new ones.

For further information on thyroid diseases, cardiovascular risks and   the role of iodine in thyroid functioning refer to: http://www.thyroidweek.com.

1. United Nations System Standing Committee on Nutrition (SCN) 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation, Nutrition for improved Development Outcomes - March 2004. URL http://www.unscn.org/layout/modules/resources/files/rwns5.pdf (Accessed October 2010)

About Merck Serono

Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA. With headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Merck Serono offers leading brands in 150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as cardiovascular diseases. In the United States and Canada, EMD Serono operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of Merck Serono.

Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in specialist indications. We have an enduring commitment to deliver novel therapies in our core focus areas of neurodegenerative diseases, oncology and rheumatology.

About Merck

Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of €10.3 billion in 2011, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by more than 40,000 employees in 67 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.

For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.com or http://www.merckgroup.com