FEBRUARY 23, 2022
FEBRUARY 23, 2022
Experiencing sudden weight gain or weight loss? Suddenly feeling lethargic, or experiencing unusual hair-loss? You might have thyroid issues.
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that is part of the endocrine system – the body’s regulating system that stores and releases hormones into the bloodstream. The thyroid gland produces hormones that control your metabolism and regulate other vital body functions like breathing, heart rate, weight, muscle strength, body temperature, menstruation, cholesterol levels, the nervous system and more.
Who should go for a thyroid screening?
Thyroid screening is offered as a part of most health checks. While there is no age barrier to disease affecting this gland, being a woman and getting older can increase one’s chances of developing the disease.
There are, however, those who are at increased risk of developing thyroid problems. If you have a personal or family history of immune system diseases or are taking medication for a mental health disease or heart disease, you’re at higher risk than most. If you’re pregnant, you should know that pregnancy outcomes have been linked to thyroid function, so it’s advisable to have it checked early. In addition, some women may develop an inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis) soon after delivery
What are the symptoms that signal thyroid issues?
Thyroid-related complaints may be subtle, come on gradually and be easily overlooked. Typical symptoms include fatigue, unexplained weight loss or weight gain, fast heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, lethargy, mental slowness, depression, dry hair or hair loss, dry skin, puffiness around the face, constipation and feeling very cold. Swelling of the neck (goitre), together with difficulty in swallowing or obvious lumps on the neck may also be symptoms of a thyroid disorder.
Are thyroid problems related to one’s lifestyle?
Chronic stress can affect the thyroid, as can diet and other lifestyle factors. Stress has been known to trigger abnormal immune responses. Other causes could include certain viral infections, medications taken for other reasons, and deficiencies in nutrients such as iodine and selenium. People who have had radiation therapy can also be predisposed.
What treatments are available to fix thyroid problems?
Thyroid hormone supplements should ease symptoms within a few weeks, and specific medication is required for over-functioning thyroid glands. “Reducing stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and nutrition, as well as testing and treating for nutrient deficiencies, are a holistic approach to the condition. Appropriate treatment can lead to dramatic improvements, including greater energy, quicker thinking, weight loss and better mood,” says the doctor.
Who should go for a thyroid screening?
Thyroid screening is offered as a part of most health checks. While there is no age barrier to disease affecting this gland, being a woman and getting older can increase one’s chances of developing the disease.
There are, however, those who are at increased risk of developing thyroid problems. If you have a personal or family history of immune system diseases or are taking medication for a mental health disease or heart disease, you’re at higher risk than most. If you’re pregnant, you should know that pregnancy outcomes have been linked to thyroid function, so it’s advisable to have it checked early. In addition, some women may develop an inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis) soon after delivery
What are the symptoms that signal thyroid issues?
Thyroid-related complaints may be subtle, come on gradually and be easily overlooked. Typical symptoms include fatigue, unexplained weight loss or weight gain, fast heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, lethargy, mental slowness, depression, dry hair or hair loss, dry skin, puffiness around the face, constipation and feeling very cold. Swelling of the neck (goitre), together with difficulty in swallowing or obvious lumps on the neck may also be symptoms of a thyroid disorder.
Are thyroid problems related to one’s lifestyle?
Chronic stress can affect the thyroid, as can diet and other lifestyle factors. Stress has been known to trigger abnormal immune responses. Other causes could include certain viral infections, medications taken for other reasons, and deficiencies in nutrients such as iodine and selenium. People who have had radiation therapy can also be predisposed.
What treatments are available to fix thyroid problems?
Thyroid hormone supplements should ease symptoms within a few weeks, and specific medication is required for over-functioning thyroid glands. “Reducing stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and nutrition, as well as testing and treating for nutrient deficiencies, are a holistic approach to the condition. Appropriate treatment can lead to dramatic improvements, including greater energy, quicker thinking, weight loss and better mood,” says the doctor.
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Introduction
Aesthetic Physician Dr. Tiffiny Yang is a fully qualified medical doctor who previously practiced medicine and surgery in various hospitals before joining International Medical Group, a medical practice with primary focus on medical aesthetics. She can converse fluently in English and Mandarin. Dr. Tiffiny Yang habitually attends international courses and conferences outside of Singapore to keep herself updated with the latest global developments in medical aesthetics practice. These include, amongst others, the annual Minimally Invasive Facial Aesthetics Surgery conference in Japan, where she obtained deep insights into Japanese medical aesthetics techniques. She was also appointed as a trainer for certain courses conducted by the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. In the last 10 years of her practice, Dr. Tiffiny Yang had personally administered botox, facial fillers, medical lasers and various other aesthetic procedures to countless patients, attesting to the breadth of her experience. Her practice methodology is centred on the philosophy that every patient is distinctly different from the other, for which the best beauty solutions need to be curated & tailormade. After more than a decade of medical aesthetics experience, Dr. Tiffiny Yang has managed to codify the various tailor-made solutions specially curated by her for the benefit of each unique individual. Dr. Tiffiny Yang’s curated & tailormade aesthetics methodology has seen many satisfied patients who have been with Tiffiny Yang Aesthetics for many years. A key plank of Dr. Tiffiny’s methodology is to know and understand the key principles of achieving youth and beauty, then applying them adeptly to the many facets of her practice and skincare range. |
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Introduction
Consultant Radiologist Clinical Interest & Subspecialty: Neuroradiology (Brain, Head & Neck, Spine) and Neuro-intervention Dr. Santhosh Raj is a Consultant Radiologist with 20 years of experience in radiology. He graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2002 and obtained the Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (U.K.) in 2008. Upon completing the Advanced Specialist Training (AST) in Singapore in 2013, he joined the Neuroradiology subspecialty team at Singapore General Hospital. In 2015, he completed his training in Neuro-intervention at the National Institute of Clinical Neurosciences in Budapest, Hungary, through the SingHealth Health Manpower Development Program (HMDP) fellowship. In addition to his routine work, Dr. Santhosh also reports MRI Brain Volumetry scans that are used to assess structural brain degeneration, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). He also reports Ultra Low-Dose (Submilisievert) CT Lung, which allows lung screening at doses lower than routine lung screening CT scans. Other innovative imaging scans that he developed in the past include Intracranial Vessel Wall Imaging (3T MRI), an optimized CT Arterio-Venography (CTAV) of the brain, and an optimized Multiphasic CT Angiography of the Neck and Brain (acute stroke management). His past appointments include Deputy Director of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SGH), and Director of Radiology Training (SGH). He was also Clinical Lecturer at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS), and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Duke NUS. Dr. Santhosh is particularly interested in imaging informatics and artificial intelligence (AI). He is passionate about teaching and developing innovative imaging scans. He also loves to walk and spend quality time with his family. |
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Introduction
Consultant Radiologist Dr. Eugene Low was awarded the Singapore Armed Forces Medical Scholarship in 2001 to study Medicine at the National University of Singapore and attained his MBBS in 2006. Dr Low then trained and obtained his post-graduate qualifications in Diagnostic Radiology FRCR (UK) and MMed (Spore) in 2012. In 2016, he was awarded the Health Manpower Development Program (HMDP) fellowship by the Singapore Armed Forces to train in Musculoskeletal and Interventional Radiology at Vancouver General Hospital and the University of British Columbia in Canada. Under the mentorship of Prof Peter Munk, Prof Bruce Forster and Prof Hugue Ouellette, the fellowship centred on advanced musculoskeletal imaging, sports imaging and musculoskeletal interventions. Upon his return to Singapore and during his tenure as Consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, he started several interventional programmes for tumour ablations (for both palliative and benign), vertebroplasties, hydrodilatation clinics for adhesive capsulitis and other musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided procedures. |
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Introduction
Resident Physician Dr. Chua Boon Suan graduated from the National University of Singapore. Upon graduation, Dr. Chua has worked in various major restructured hospitals in Singapore, including the Emergency Department of Tan Tock Seng Hospital, General Medicine and General Surgery Departments of Singapore General Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. She was part of the SARS taskforce in TTSH and tended to ill patients with suspected SARS during the outbreak. Following these rotations, she spent the large part of her medical career in primary care in NHG polyclinics. For the last fifteen years, she has been seeing her patients in the Health Screening and Wellness Centres of various hospitals, including TTSH, Mt Alvernia, National University Hospital and Farrer Park Hospital. From her years of experience in primary care, she has developed a special interest in health screening and chronic disease prevention. She believes that patients should understand the potential health issues and identify them before they become symptomatic and difficult to treat. She also takes interest in the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Dr. Chua is fluent in English and Mandarin, and conversant in Hokkien and Teochew. |
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Introduction
Resident Physician Dr. Shirley Lee graduated from the National University of Singapore in 1998. She was awarded the Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine in 2007. Her clinical experience includes rotations across major restructured hospitals in Singapore. Dr. Lee is a Family Physician, who has interests in Health Screening and Preventive Medicine. Dr. Lee believes in a holistic approach to care for her patients that encompasses physical and mental well-being. Dr. Lee always advocates forming strong collaborative partnerships with her patients to achieve good health outcomes. Dr. Lee is fluent in English and Mandarin, and conversant in most dialects. |
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Introduction
Resident Physician Dr Elizabeth Heah graduated from the University of Manchester in 2018. She has since been practicing in Singapore, with experience from Singapore restructured hospitals in the departments of General Surgery, Internal Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She is passionate about preventative medicine and adopts a holistic approach to healthcare. Outside of medicine she enjoys practicing yoga, interior design and pottery. |