Do you often experience feelings of fatigue, being unusually tired or sluggish? Sadness and low mood or anxiety? Have difficulty concentrating or remembering things, or an unexplained increase or decrease in weight?
Together, these symptoms are known to be associated with thyroid disease. If you have these symptoms, you should consult your doctor.
Thyroid disease is any health condition that affects the thyroid gland, which is a small, butterfly-shaped organ at the base of the neck. The thyroid produces, stores and releases hormones that help control how the body uses energy, regulates metabolism, and contributes to many vital functions.
When doctors suspect a thyroid problem, they will order blood tests to measure thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and sometimes triiodothyronine (T3) levels. These tests assess how well the thyroid is functioning.
Treatment
Treatment for thyroid disease helps patients return to balanced thyroid hormone levels, relieving symptoms and improving their overall quality of life.
For hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid, doctors usually prescribe medication to replace thyroid hormones. For hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid, treatment options may include medications, therapy using radioactive iodine, or surgery.
Advocates are concerned about the widespread lack of awareness regarding thyroid disease, which impacts an estimated 200 million people worldwide. “Many people remain unaware of the symptoms, risks, and importance of thyroid health. As a group, we are strengthening our thyroid health advocacy and commitment. We have had a successful run before the pandemic and now we are again actively working alongside the Department of Health and other partners,” said Dr. Aurora Macaballug, President, Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PCEDM), speaking at the Thyroid Summit, which is a gathering of advocates from various sectors across the country.
Gaps in knowledge can mean delayed diagnoses and inadequate treatment, but the fundamental lack of data is also hampering the necessary interventions. People at risk for thyroid diseases include newborns and pregnant and breastfeeding women, especially those who are deficient in their iodine intake.
“This is where we should focus. Because we know that when a woman gets pregnant and she has goiter, the impact is on the brain development of the fetus,” said Dr. Teofilo San Luis, Jr. National Coordinator of the Iodine Global Network. “We need to rescue the intelligence quotient (IQ) of these children before they are born. Once they are born, the brain structure is already there.”
The role of iodized salt
The 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey of 48,530 households showed that only 64.9% were aware of iodized salt. While over half (55.7%) reported using iodized salt, only about a third of households (33.2%) were using adequately iodized salt (at least 15 parts per million of iodine).
“Overall, there is not much data available about thyroid disease in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region,” explained Dr. Daveric Pagsisihan, PCEDM Board Member and Chair, Advocacy Committee. For example, the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (0.038%), a cause of developmental delay, is detected through the Newborn Screening Program. In comparison, data on the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction (8.53%) is based on the Philippine Thyroid Diseases Study (PhilTiDeS).
“In addition to raising awareness among the public and healthcare professionals, we need to collect data through surveillance, target screenings for high-risk groups, and work on standardized clinical guidelines for the region,” Dr. Pagsisihan said.
Advocacy
The PCEDM Thyroid Advocacy Council is bringing together advocates, healthcare professionals, and community members in Capiz for “Goiter Alagaan! Wag Pabayaan.” In observance of Goiter Awareness Week, held every fourth week of January, this event includes a medical forum and informative lay lecture aimed at raising awareness about goiter and thyroid health. “We are still far from the finish line, but at least we have five ‘P’s to guide us. First is partnership, the importance of collaboration and communication. Second is profiling, gathering data that will support our advocacy. Next is policymaking, as our efforts with the government achieve common goals. Promotion, as we will continue to raise awareness about thyroid health for all patients. Lastly, a proactive mindset keeps us moving forward,” said Dr. Erick Mendoza, President, Philippine Thyroid Association.
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