ELODI is a Dutch research project that aims to improve quality of life through research on the effect of nutrition on Graves’ disease. ELODI is a special project because one of the researchers is a Graves’ patient herself and initiated and designed the study.

The project is funded by crowdfunding and family funds, because there is not yet enough awareness about the importance of improving the quality of life of this thyroid patient group, which is why no public money is available for it.

The thyroid gland is a very important organ that affects almost every tissue in the body. In an autoimmune disease, the body makes antibodies against its own tissues; in the case of Graves’ disease, against the thyroid gland, causing it to work too fast.

An overactive thyroid causes several symptoms, including increased heart rate,  accelerated bone loss, sleep disturbances, nervousness and fatigue. Patients with Graves’ disease remain ill for a long time, have a reduced quality of life, have high rates of absenteeism and place a long-term burden on specialist medical care. Current treatment has limitations. In addition to the risk of serious side effects from the medication, only half of patients recover, after which follow-up treatments are required, which can lead to serious complications.

Innovative research
It is becoming increasingly necessary to find innovative solutions that increase quality of life and keep health care affordable. Through lifestyle and diet, in which the patient him- or herself plays an important role, it is possible to positively influence disease, health and quality of life. Therefore, this study investigates an additional treatment in the form of diet.

A major advantage of a diet is that it does not require lengthy procedures to implement, allowing it to reach patients quickly. Patients gain more control over their own treatment, the risk of side effects and complications decreases, and their quality of life is expected to increase significantly.

Support the research
Because there is little to no government funding available for Graves’ disease, we rely on crowdfunding and family and wealth funds for this project. This is why we are asking for your donation.

Your support will make it possible to develop a complementary therapy for Graves’ disease. More research into thyroid diseases is important. With this research, we focus specifically on Graves’ disease, for which no fundamental changes in treatment have been developed for decades, while people struggle daily with its effects. In addition, this research contributes to scientific knowledge about the influence of food and nutrients on thyroid function in general. Knowledge that we can also use for other (thyroid) diseases.

The link below will take you to the project’s fundraising website:
www.steunamsterdamumc.nl/ project/onderzoek-naar-de-ziekte-van-graves-een-schildklierziekte

If you would like to donate, but are unable to do so through the details below, we would of course like to help you and you can email us for support at email address:
elodi@amsterdamumc.nl

Thank you very much for your donation.