For level 27 my physical well being is one of the top things I wanted to prioritize.

On a quiet evening at a coffee shop, I sat and contemplated about the future. This was on the eve of my birthday. How did I see myself 5 years from now? Living a simple and contented life: happy and stable with my corporate job or business venture while raising a healthy family with my dear July.

Somehow my priorities and perspective have shifted and I’m consciously trying to make smart choices with how I live my life.

Recently, I started feeling concerned after a series of health concerns within the family and with July. It doesn’t help that I come from a family with a colorful medical history involving lifelong diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and thyroid disorders. Also, a few years ago, my lab results showed signs of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

These led me to participate during the International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW 2017) celebration in Quezon City.

I lined up for a quick consultation after watching an introductory video about the thyroid gland and answering the Thyroid Quiz. I told her about my health concerns (probable PCOS and my mom having a thyroid issue). She examined my thyroid gland and assured me that I have nothing to worry about. She also gave me a recommendation for a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test if I want to be thorough (I did the test before and got normal TSH levels) and encouraged me to follow through my PCOS check up.

I sipped my fee milk tea and availed of the photobooth and massage while waiting for the evening talks. There was also nail air, hair and make up, eyebrow threading and Kinect stations.

The talk “The Thyroid Masquerade” by Dr. Teofilo San Luis focused on symptoms related to thyroid disorders while Dr. Wesley Llauderes discussed the common misconceptions. Some of the attendees shared their experience on dealing with hyperthyroidism / hypothyroidism.

What baffled me was how common some symptoms are that people end up going to the wrong kind of specialist and never take into consideration that the problem is with their thyroid glands. That is why early detection and raising thyroid awareness are important and I am thankful for events like this.

Don’t wait around for the next ITAW to take action. I highly recommend you take a self-assessment quiz and check with your doctor asap.