BACKGROUND: Pregnancy has been associated with differences in thyroid function.1 Maternal thyroid dysfunction has been shown to be associated with fetal and obstetric complications and prompt management is of importance. It has thus been recommended by the British and American Thyroid Association11,12 that trimester-specific thyroid function test reference ranges be used in the assessment of thyroid dysfunction. Normative values across the trimesters of pregnancy have been conducted in several countries13,17,19 and in the Philippines. Reference ranges
in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy were conducted by Patal and Hamin et al. which showed values of TSH 0.14-3.84 uIU/mL, FT4 10.44-21.58 pmol/L, FT3 2.4-5.82 pmol/L in the first trimester and TSH 0.10-4.30 uIU/mL, FT4 9.10-19.40 pmol/L, FT3 2.70- 5.190 pmol/L in the second trimester, respectively.
OBJECTIVE: To establish third trimester reference intervals for free thyroid hormones (free triiodothyronine [FT3], free thyroxine [FT4]) and thyrotropin [TSH] from thyroid peroxidase antibody [TPOAb]-negative Filipino
pregnant women.
DESIGN: This is a prospective, cross-sectional study which included consecutive 200 healthy third-trimester pregnant Filipino women attending Philippine General Hospital (PGH) out-patient services. Serum TSH, FT4, FT3, and TPOAb were measured.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reference intervals are based on 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for TSH, FT4, and FT3 among TPOAb-negative third-trimester pregnant Filipino patients.
ANALYSIS: All numerical data were entered in MS Excel and analyzed using STATA 12. FT3, FT4 and TSH were expressed as mean ±SD, range at 2.5th to 97.5th percentiles.
RESULTS: The reference ranges for TSH, FT4 and FT3 in TPOAb-negative third-trimester pregnant population are as follows: TSH= 0.2-3.0 uIU/mL; FT4 = 9.16-18.64 pmol/L and FT3= 2.09-3.7 pmol/L.
CONCLUSION: Reference ranges for thyroid function tests for the third trimester of TPOAb-negative pregnant Filipino women were determined in this study and are as follows: TSH= 0.2-3.0uIU/mL; FT4 = 9.16-18.64pmol/L and FT3= 2.09-3.7pmol/L.

Human ; Female ; Adult ; Thyrotropin ; Thyroxine ; Triiodothyronine ; Iodide Peroxidase ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Pregnancy Trimesters ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroid Hormones

Objective: This is a health systems research conducted with the goal of evaluating the quality of care (QoC) in diabetic emergencies, specifically Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS), at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in terms of structures, processes and outcomes, and determining facilitators and barriers to effective delivery of care from the healthcare providers’ point of view. Methods: The first phase of this study is a retrospective chart review involving an audit of the quality of services rendered to patients diagnosed to have DKA/HHS at the PGH. The second phase is a series of focus group discussions (FGDs) among physicians and nurses involved in the care of DKA/HHS patients. Facilitators and barriers to delivery of care were identified in these FGDs, as well as recommendations on how to improve delivery of care. Results: The recognition of DKA/HHS as a possible diagnosis at first encounter was observed in only 67% of cases. Timely initiation of hydration was met in 40% of cases and only 10% of the patients underwent adequate laboratory monitoring. Correction of at least half of the estimated water deficit in the first 24 hours of admission was achieved in 84% of the cases. Despite this, mortality rate was still high at 23%. Among those who died, thirty-seven percent (37%), seventy-five percent (75%) and over thirty percent (31%) had delayed initiation of hydration, at least one episode of hypokalemia or hypoglycemia, respectively. Barriers to good quality of care for DKA/HHS were mostly attributed to delays. These delays were due to lack of resources, limited bed-capacity and challenges experienced in the handling of specimen from the ER clerk to the laboratory and release of results. Conclusion Failure to follow guidelines and delays in the delivery of care are possible reasons for the high mortality rates noted and could be a reflection of poor quality of care among DM emergency patients in PGH. Proper documentation in the medical charts is also important. Clinical pathways and DM emergency kits are a few of the suggested approach to address the barriers to good quality care.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; Quality of Health Care

BACKGROUND: Selenium (Se) shows potential benefit in Graves' disease (GD) especially those with active Graves' ophthalmopathy(GO).  
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of Se supplementation among patients with GD and GO.
METHODOLOGY: We performed a meta-analysis of trials evaluating the efficacy of Se supplementation among adult patients with GD and active GO, versus either placebo or an alternative drug, and on top of standard therapy. Results were presented as mean differences, standard errors, and 95% confidence intervals,and graphically presented as forest plots.Estimates were calculated using the inverse variance method for continuous variables and pooled using the fixed effects model. I2 and Chi2 tests were used to assess heterogeneity.
RESULTS: Only  two  trials  were  ultimately  included  in  the  analysis. Both studies totaled 197 participants with GD and non-severe  GO  on  standard  therapy,  and  compared  Se  supplementation to placebo. The only common outcomes of  interest  were  changes  in  TSH  receptor  antibody  (TRAB)  and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAB) titers. We found no statistically significant difference in either TRAB (95% CI,-1.38  [-3.19,  0.44],  p=0.14)  or  TPOAB  (95%  CI,  36.66  [-32.56, 105.88], p=0.30) titers between Se and placebo groups on follow  up.However,our analysis was limited by the small number of included studies, a small sample size, and lack of other synthesizable outcomes.
CONCLUSION: This is the  first  meta-analysis  summarizing  the available data on Se supplementation in patients with GD and  non-severe  GO.We found no statistically significant differences in both TRAB and TPOAB titers between Se and placebo groups. We recommend larger studies to validate these findings. 

Thyrotropin-binding Inhibitory Immunoglobulin ; Graves Ophthalmopathy ; Selenium ; Iodide Peroxidase ; Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-stimulating ; Graves Disease ; Thyroid Microsomal Antibodies ; Autoantibodies ; Forests ; Thyroid Gland

Background: Flavonoids from Emblica officinalis effectively reduced serum and tissue lipid levels through their inhibitory effect on the hepatic β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of E. officinalis extract in adults with dyslipidemia. Methods: We searched the following electronic databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), MEDLINE (Ovid), Google Scholar, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception until January 31, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the abstracts, reviewed full-text papers, and critically appraised the quality of included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model. Our primary outcomes were total cholesterol, LDL-C, serum triglycerides, and HDL-C levels, while secondary outcomes included adverse events. Results: A total of four randomized trials (N = 227) were included in the final analysis. There were statistically significant decreases in total cholesterol levels (SMD = -21.23 mg/dL, 95% CI: -34.22, -8.25; P = 0.001) and LDL-C levels (SMD = -25.12 mg/dL, 95% CI: -40.24, -10.00; P = 0.001) and significant increase in HDL-C levels (SMD = 4.74 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.40, 9.07; P = 0.03) after 12 weeks of intervention favoring the use of the Emblica extract over placebo. However, there were no statistically significant difference in the serum triglycerides levels following 12 weeks of treatment (SMD = -22.28 mg/dL, 95% CI: -53.33, 8.76; P = 0.16). There was high heterogeneity noted across all outcomes: total cholesterol (P = 0.01, I2 = 72%), LDL-C (P = 0.0004, I2 = 83%), HDL-C (P < 0.00001, I2 = 91%) and serum triglycerides (P < 0.00001, I2 = 93 %). The intervention was well tolerated and adverse events reported in the three of four studies were all mild: dyspepsia (7 events – treatment), mild diarrhea (3 events – placebo), fever (1 event – placebo), headache (1 event – placebo). Conclusion Compared to placebo, Emblica officinalis fruit extract resulted in lower total cholesterol and LDL-C levels and increased HDL-C levels but with no effect on serum triglyceride levels based on low certainty of evidence. Trials with a larger sample size that directly compare E. officinalis extract to statins, preferably local data, are needed to support its use in patients with dyslipidemia further.
dyslipidemia ; Emblica officinalis ; Phyllanthus emblica ; meta-analysis

Objective: This study aims to identify factors associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among elderly Filipinos with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology: This is an analytic cross-sectional study involving 133 elderly (≥60 years old) with Type 2 diabetes mellitus consecutively sampled from the General Medicine and Diabetes Clinics of the Philippine General Hospital. Eligible subjects were interviewed to gather demographic and clinical data. Body mass index, waist-hip ratio and mean blood pressure were computed. HBA1c, lipid profile, creatinine and urine proteinuria were tested or recorded if done recently. Dilated fundus examination via indirect ophthalmoscopy and 10-gram monofilament test were performed to detect retinopathy and neuropathy. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Philippines tool was administered to detect patients with probable MCI using a cutoff score of ≤21. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the associated factors. Results: Using MoCA-P tool, MCI has a rate of 45% among elderly Filipino diabetics. Having more than 12 years of education is significantly associated with lower odds of MCI. (OR 0.38 CI 0.18, 0.80, p value 0.010). Conclusion The rate of MCI among Filipino elderly diabetics is high. Higher education is associated with lower odds of having MCI. Case-control or prospective cohort studies involving larger sample and non-diabetic population are recommended.
Cognitive Dysfunction ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common well-differentiated thyroid malignancy accounting for more than 80 to 90% of all thyroid tumors. It has an overall excellent prognosis owing to advances in screening via imaging and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy, which have facilitated early detection, diagnosis, and surgical treatment followed by adjuvant radioactive iodine therapy. Exceptionally rare cases of papillary thyroid tumors may present with enormous growth due to delayed consultation and, thus, late diagnosis, posing a challenge to definitive management, quality of life, overall survival, and prognosis. We report a case of a 35-year-old woman who presented with a 4-year history of a bleeding exophytic and fungating anterior neck mass. Computed tomography showed a fungating mass arising from the left thyroid lobe that measured 14.1 x 14.0 x 11.1 cm with areas of necrosis and hemorrhage, left internal jugular vein thrombus formation, and compression of the left internal carotid artery. The mass causes a displacement of the trachea to the right side and multiple bilateral cervical lymphadenopathies. The patient was fully aware, and she consented to undergo wide excision, total thyroidectomy, neck dissection, and pectoralis major muscle flap reconstruction. However, she went into arrest intraoperatively attributed to massive pulmonary embolism. Papillary thyroid cancer is well known for its excellent prognosis. However, outcomes may not be favorable and can even be fatal in advanced and extensive cases. Although fungating papillary cancers are rare, they remain more common in the developing countries, where early detection and access to healthcare remains limited. They also represent a big challenge to surgeons. Even if the outcome was not good, we opted to report this case as there were many learning points. If only patients with good and excellent outcomes are reported in the literature, it will overestimate the treatment success of these complex cases.
papillary thyroid cancer

Background: The interpretation of thyroid hormone function during pregnancy is difficult due to its physiologic changes. Differences in iodine status in previous studies led to different intervals; therefore the use of trimester-specific, method-specific and probably country-specific reference values is advocated. Objective: To establish trimester-specific reference interval for thyroid function tests in pregnant Filipino women. Methodology: Six hundred sixteen pregnant patients (5–40 weeks gestation) attending a tertiary center were recruited. Level of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was measured using immunoradiometric assay while free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) were measured by radioimmunoassay method. Main outcome measures are trimester-specific reference interval based on 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for TSH, FT4 and FT3 among TPOAb-negative pregnant patients. Results: The reference intervals for each trimester were as follows: TSH (0.05-4.24, 0.13-3.95, and 0.20-3.00 uIU/mL); FT4 (9.80-21.88, 9.10-18.95 and 9.16-18.64 pmol/L) and FT3 (2.40-6.20, 2.77-5.00 and 2.09-3.70 pmol/L). FT4 and FT3 are strongly and negatively correlated with age of gestation (p=<0.01and <0.01 respectively). No correlation is found with TSH and age of gestation (p=0.52). Conclusions Trimester-specific intervals among pregnant Filipino women are different from their non-pregnant counterparts and laboratory cutoffs. Thus, these reference values should be used in the country.
Thyroid Function Tests

The traditional binary classification of gender is repeatedly challenged throughout history with the presence of transgenders. Under the umbrella of transgenderism is transsexualism which pertains to individuals who identify with or desire to become the opposite sex. Transsexualism or Gender Dysphoria is classified as a medical condition under ICD 10 and DSM-5. The proposed treatment is sex reassignment that includes all treatments carried out to adapt to the desired sex. Sex reassignment involves a multidisciplinary approach wherein the psychiatrist or mental health practitioner, endocrinologist and surgeon play active roles. Certain legal and ethical issues exist in the treatment of transsexualism. This article provides a review of psychological, medical and surgical issues in the evaluation and treatment of Transgender individuals, with an Asian perspective, and in the context of an actual case.
Gender Dysphoria ; Transsexualism ; Transgender Persons