In early observance of the World Thyroid Day on May 25, Dr. Edberto R. General, Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine, Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC), underscored the importance of timely screening in preventing and managing thyroid disorders that are mainly caused by autoimmune diseases and iodine deficiency.
According to Dr. General, timely screening and checkups help prevent conditions such as goiter, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), thyrotoxic heart disease, thyroid storm, metastatic thyroid cancer, and other severe complications.
Dr. General encouraged eating iodine-rich food as part of the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits and to naturally aid in preventing iodine deficiencies that can cause thyroid disorders.
On another note, Dr. General explained that chronic exposure to volcanic emissions such as ash fall poses an increased risk for thyroid cancer.
The BRHMC Endocrine Clinic offers multiple services to detect and screen thyroid disorders such as the thyroid function test, ultrasound, CT scan, and biopsy.
To further efforts in modernizing comprehensive thyroid care, the BRHMC will establish a Nuclear Medicine facility as an advanced and specialized approach to detect hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.
Forming part of their capacity-building initiatives, BRHMC will also conduct The Adult Fellowship Training Program in Endocrinology.
The DOH Bicol CHD encourages individuals to get themselves screened for the detection of thyroid and other endocrine disorders at the BRHMC Endocrine Clinic in Daraga, Albay, which is open every Tuesday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.