The British Thyroid Foundation (BTF) are leading a James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnership to help shape the future of thyroid research in the UK. They are inviting you to complete our short survey to help identify the top 10 thyroid research areas that matter most to patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
Complete the survey
What is a JLA Priority Setting Partnership?
The James Lind Alliance is a non-profit organisation that brings together patients, carers and healthcare professionals to agree on the most important unanswered research questions. This ensures research funders focus on what really matters to the people affected. The JLA is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Why do we need one for thyroid disease?
Thyroid disease affects around 1 in 20 people in the UK. It is more common in women, can occur at any age, and some conditions are rare and poorly understood. Despite this, treatments have changed very little in over 80 years. Many people continue to experience symptoms, face delays in diagnosis, or feel their care does not fully meet their needs. More research is urgently needed, and with limited funding, it’s vital that the thyroid community agrees on the most important priorities.
How will the thyroid community be involved?
A Steering Group of patients, carers and healthcare professionals (including endocrinologists, a surgeon, a nurse specialist, a health psychologist, and an economist) will guide the process and ensure we hear from people of all ages across the UK.
A consultation survey will open by 11 May 2026 for around six weeks. This is open to anyone who lives or has lived with a thyroid condition, their family, carers and the healthcare professionals who look after them. Responses will be analysed by an Information Specialist at Cardiff University, checked against existing evidence, and reduced to a shortlist of 25–30 questions. These will be discussed at a final workshop where patients, carers and professionals—each with an equal voice—will agree on the top 10 priorities. The whole process will take around 12–18 months.
How can you get involved?
- Complete the survey
- Share it with colleagues, patients and networks so as many people as possible can take part. If you would like us to send you flyers or posters to share please email [email protected]
- Become a partner organisation if you’d like to support the project more formally.
Find out more
Thank you for helping bring the thyroid community together to identify and prioritise the most important unanswered questions in thyroid research.
