Provide names of other journalists involved.
Amy Brightfield is the Health Director, and Barbara Brody was the Health Editor.
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Nov. 1, 2011
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Nearly 13 million people in the U.S. struggle with getting properly diagnosed for a thyroid disorder, most often hypothyroidism. The story explored the challenges and complexities of diagnosis and treatment.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
I am the author of The Everything Guide to Thyroid Disease and had abundant information on thyroid disorders. Research for the sidebar involved studies looking at environmental impacts on thyroid health.
Explain types of human sources used.
The story relied heavily on stories from real women who were wrestling with getting diagnosed and treated. It also involved many conversations with doctors.
Results:
The magazine received many letters from women who were thrilled to read the article. One woman said the article inspired her to see an endocrinologist who eventually diagnosed a tumor in her pituitary gland. She says it saved her life!
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Make the medical story a human story, and tell us how the problem is affecting real people.