(Press release from Merck, May 25, 2009) -- May 25, 2009 -- Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, today announced that in the frame of the first International Thyroid Awareness Week, from May 25 to 31, the company in cooperation with Thyroid Federation International (TFI) will launch an awareness campaign, also supported by the European Thyroid Association (ETA) and the Latin American Thyroid Society (LATS), to raise awareness of thyroid dysfunctions and their consequences, in approximately 40 countries worldwide. Together with the international patient organization TFI, Merck Serono will provide information on these under-diagnosed diseases through professional educational sessions and distribution of information to the public. These materials will be distributed in several languages and are available online for download.

"There are millions of people around the world who may be suffering needlessly because they are unaware of the symptoms and impact of thyroid disorders. Since thyroid hormones regulate the metabolism, an overactive or underactive thyroid gland can produce a wide variety of symptoms; but more importantly is that left untreated these symptoms can potentially lead to life-threatening complications", said Yvonne Andersson, President of TFI. "By raising awareness of the common signs and symptoms of thyroid dysfunctions, we want to encourage people to seek medical advice if they believe they might be at risk."

Today, it is estimated that 300 million people suffer from thyroid dysfunctions and over half are presumed to be unaware of their condition. An under- or overactive thyroid (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) may occur at any time in life. Women in particular are five to eight times more likely to be affected than men. If left untreated, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can lead to serious complications, among which are cardiovascular diseases. Untreated thyroid disorders can also affect both pregnant women and the developing fetus.

"Most thyroid diseases are life-long conditions affecting patients' quality of life. However because symptoms may be mild or non-specific, such as tiredness, weight gain, intolerance to cold or even depression, diagnosis is often missed or delayed", said Dr. Richard Douge, Executive Vice President Global Marketing at Merck Serono. "However thyroid dysfunctions can be easily detected through a blood test and successfully managed with medical care".

Merck Serono has a longstanding commitment to the treatment of thyroid diseases dating back to 1894 when its first thyroid medicine was launched. Today the company markets Euthyrox(R) (levothyroxine sodium) and Novothyral(R) (levothyroxine sodium, liothyronine sodium) for the treatment of hypothyroidism, Thyrozol(R) (thiamazole) for hyperthyroidism, Jodid(TM) (potassium iodide) for iodine deficiency (a cause of enlargement of the thyroid gland leading to goiter) and Jodthyrox(R) (levothyroxine sodium and potassium iodide) for the treatment of goiter. In 1994, with the support of the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD), the International Children's fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the company contributed to the first international survey on the prevalence of iodine deficiency using the company's emblematic ThyroMobil, a mobile van equipped with an ultrasound scanner for thyroid screening, to collect data among the population on four continents. Currently, Merck Serono has launched an educational campaign in China and intends to support an epidemiological project to shed light on the prevalence of thyroid disorders in China.

More information on thyroid disorders and their impact on patients' life are available on: http://www.thyroidweek.com.