Background: Thyroid diseases, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, are prevalent endocrine disorders with serious health implications, yet they remain widely underdiagnosed in the Philippines. Recent reports indicate that thyroid disease has emerged as a significant public health challenge in the Asia-Pacific region, with an estimated prevalence of 11%, significantly higher than the global prevalence of 2–4%. These conditions often present with vague symptoms and are frequently missed until advanced. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is the gold standard for screening. Despite the availability of effective treatment, outdated national prevalence data—such as the 8.9% rate previously reported in the Philippine Thyroid Diseases Study (PhilTiDeS)—and limited community-based surveillance hinder early diagnosis, especially among high-risk populations including women, the elderly, and those with metabolic conditions.
Methods: From December 2024 to March 2025, community-based screening was implemented using a mobile-based thyroid screening initiative in Pampanga. Adults aged ≥18 years were screened using point-of-care TSH tests. Pre-screening was based on the presence of signs and symptoms of thyroid disease, history of thyroid nodules or surgery, pregnancy, miscarriage, primary infertility, autoimmune disease, dyslipidemia, body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2, elderly status, type 2 diabetes, family history, or being part of an indigenous population. Individuals with abnormal TSH were referred for further testing and care.
Results: A total of 2,137 individuals were tested—1,772 (83.2%) females and 358 (16.8%) males. The most common reasons for testing were family history, elderly status, and BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Thyroid dysfunction was found in 239 individuals (11.2%): subclinical hypothyroidism (5.82%), true hyperthyroidism (2.96%), true hypothyroidism (1.27%), and subclinical hyperthyroidism (1.17%). Women had a higher prevalence than men. Symptomatic presentation was the strongest predictor across all categories.
Conclusions: This initiative highlights the value of targeted screening among high-risk groups using mobile outreach. The findings support prioritizing women, elderly individuals, and those with metabolic risk factors. Community-based thyroid screening, paired with education and referral, offers a scalable and impactful approach to early detection, especially in resource-limited settings. Policy support for updated surveillance and sustained implementation is urgently needed.
