Thyroid disorder is not new to me because most of my relatives have this condition (goiter or bosyo). In fact, I am very particular with the symptoms of this because I personally took a lab test to know if I have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Last May 27, I attended The International Thyroid Awareness Week 2017 (#ITAW2017) Culminating Activity held at Robinsons Novaliches Trade Hall. There were lots of participants present to know more about thyroid and how it affects our lives.
The #ITAW2017 gave a very informative yet fun activity for the attendees. It begun with the passport which is used for the activities inside the trade hall. It is informative because each passport holder is encouraged to watch the video that provide facts about Thyroid. See the video below and learn for yourself too.
The next of the activity is the testing, this is to know if you have any thyroid disorder. With this, I'm very curious about the result. I  like to know it immediately and to consult about it. Finally at the third station, it was a Doctor's Consultation. According to Dr. Antonio, I should not be worry because I do not have any thyroid disorder even though there are relatives who have. One of the symptoms of having disorder is always feeling cold but Dr. Antonio explained that not all coldness should relate to thyroid disorder. I am so thankful Dr. Antonio enlightened me about it and it relieved me that I don't have to worry.

Passport

And because of that great news that I oblige myself to finish up to the last station where I get a chance for a photo, of which I and together with the other Blogger like Ms. Edel and Ms. Dems smiled at the photo because we're free of thyroid disorder.

But the learning does not just stop on each stations, the program itself invited some doctors to give more information about it.


Dr. Teofilo San Luis, National Coordinator of the Philippines, Iodine Global Network tackled about "The Thyroid Masquerade". He explained some of the symptoms for us to be aware of. He added that thyroid disorders affect different parts of the body such as heart, lungs, stomach, ovaries, throat and skin.

Dr. Wesley Llauderes, President of The Philippines Society of Nuclear Medicine tackled about the myths surrounding thyroid disorders. We, Filipinos are very fond of that. We always take on the "haka haka" about the said disorders that sometimes it affects our daily lives. According to him the enlargement of the thyroid is not because of drinking of cold beverages and shouting or screaming but because of lack or too much of iodine. He added also that hypothyroidism should eat iodine rich foods while the hyperthyroidism should limit the said kind of food.
Thank you so much for this kind of activity because most of us learned a lot that we can apply to ourselves plus we can share it to our friends and relatives. Hope that you'll continue this kind of advocacy so that all Filipino will be aware about the thyroid disorder.

The International Thyroid Awareness Week 2017 or #ITAW2017 was made possible by MERCK  in partnership with The Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Thyroid Association (PTA), Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM, and The Iodine Global Network (IGN).

In time for the International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW) 2017, leading science and healthcare innovation company Merck, joined forces with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Thyroid Association (PTA), Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM), and the Iodine Global Network (IGN), to raise consciousness against thyroid disorders.

You and Your Thyroid
 
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that sits in at the lower front of the neck. It plays a key role in one’s overall health and well-being by producing thyroid hormones that help keep the body use energy, stay warm, and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs in tip-top condition. [ American Thyroid Association. Thyroid Information. http://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-information/ Accessed May 2017.]

Thyroid disorders are some of the most common diseases worldwide. In the Philippines, one in every 11 adults suffers from goiter or other thyroid disorders. [ Carlos-Raboca, J et al. The Philippine Thyroid Diseases Study 1 (PhilTiDeS 1): Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders Among Adults in the Philippines. JAFES. 2012.]

Thyroid problems are more common in women. Figures show that women are four to seven times more likely to have thyroid disorders than men.[ Thyroid Foundation of Canada. Thyroid Disease: know the facts. Available online http://www.thyroid.ca/know_the_facts.php last accessed May 2017.] They are also at risk of hypothyroidism by 10 times. Moreover, women who recently gave birth and those who are in the menopausal stage are more vulnerable.

But why are thyroid diseases usually left undetected and misdiagnosed? Blame the symptoms. Tiredness, anxiety, weight fluctuations, difficulty in sleeping – these are some of the telling signs of a thyroid problem. Unfortunately, more often than not, people usually attribute these to merely having poor lifestyle choices. This is why the theme of this year’s ITAW is: “It’s Not You, It’s Your Thyroid”.

It’s Not You, It’s Your Thyroid Since its primary role is to control the metabolism, disorders may occur when there’s little (hypothyroidism) or overproduction (hyperthyroidism) of thyroid hormones.
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. [ American Thyroid Association. Hypothyroidism. Accessed from: http://www.thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/Hypo_brochure.pdf on August 2016.] 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. [ American Thyroid Association. Hyperthyroidism. Accessed from http://www.thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/Hyper_brochure.pdf on August 2016.]

The diagnosis of thyroid disorders can easily be made by checking the levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in the blood. Treatment brings the level of thyroid hormones back in balance, restoring normal metabolism to the body.

For more information, visit www.thyroidaware.com or follow “Unmasking Your Thyroid” on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thyroidph).