Are you affected by hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease or thyroid eye disease? We're hosting a free one day meeting in Leeds on Saturday 5 October 2019 which will be a unique chance to learn more about these thyroid disorders and to meet other patients.

What is a thyroid gland?

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland in your neck. It makes two hormones that are secreted into the blood: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are necessary for all the cells in your body to work normally.

Thyroid disorders are very common and tend mainly to occur in women, although anybody - men, teenagers, children and babies, too - can be affected. About one in 20 people has some kind of thyroid disorder, which may be temporary or permanent.

The thyroid gland lies in the front of your neck in a position just below your Adam’s apple. It is made up of two lobes - the right lobe and the left lobe, each about the size of a plum cut in half - and these two lobes are joined by a small bridge of thyroid tissue called the isthmus. The two lobes lie on either side of your wind-pipe.

The British Thyroid Foundation can offer charity fundraising places at many running and other sporting challenges across the UK, such as the Cambridge Half Marathon, Great North Run, Virgin Sport British 10K Run, Jane Tomlinson Yorkshire Marathon and other fundraising marathons and charity half marathons.

The first British Thyroid Foundation Research Award was made in 1997. The value of the annual award is up to £20,000 to support medical research projects. The award can be used to supplement existing projects or to help get new research ideas started. Funds will be awarded for consumables, running costs and equipment.