Unmask Your Thyroid: Prevent Goiter Now


Have you ever seen the Korean series,  "Oh My Venus"? That was actually the first series where I encountered the term,  hypothyroidism. Funny story,  I thought PCOS and thyroid problems are the same since they have (some) same symptoms. good thing I attended Merck's Unmasking Your Thyroid event last September 21 at the Holiday Inn Makati.  

According to a study by the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism in 2012, one in 11 Filipino adults has goiter, and around one in 12 Filipino adults suffers from some form of thyroid disorders.  Like my Mom,  she also suffers from goiter that started some years back. What makes it interesting is you can have it forever.  It doesn't just go away.


And true enough,  there are millions in the country who have thyroid problems,  with low awareness about this disease. Like I said,  I thought Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Hyperthyroidism is the same,  since they are both hormonal problems,  that is why we should be properly educated the symptoms and concentrate with the disease.  


Dr. Nemencio Nicodemus, Jr., who is the President of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, as well as a Professor in the UP College of Medicine and the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, spearheaded the informative talk on what the thyroid is, as well as the symptoms of thyroid disease.

Patients with hypothyroidism, or too little thyroid hormone, tend to have slower metabolism: they gain weight despite not eating much, move and speak slowly, feel tired and have depressed thoughts, cannot tolerate cold, and have irregular menstrual periods. On the other hand, patients with hyperthyroidism, or too much thyroid hormone, will have hyperactive metabolism: they lose weight despite having good appetite, have heart palpitations, irritable thoughts and insomnia, have sweating and heat intolerance, and can have tremors in their hands.

With today's technology,  it isn't hard to find materials about thyroid problems online.  But make sure that the information should be trusted and legit. You can visit www.thyroid.ph, an online repository of information where people can learn more about thyroid disorders. The website also contains useful guides which can help people check themselves for symptoms of thyroid disorders, such as goiter, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism.

There are a lot of people who may have thyroid disorders, but aren’t even aware until it is too late. During the event,  they asked us to do a quick check like asking a friend if there's a round surface on your neck while drinking water.  Good thing I passed,  but still,  to be sure,  I need to have myself checked since we have a family history of goiter. It is also prevalent during pregnancy,  so proper prevention and information is needed.  

 Have yourself checked and stay healthy,  everyone!  

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