Easy Ways To Screen Tiroid Disorders From An Early Age, Including Obesity

JAKARTA - thyroid screening is an important step to detect thyroid gland function disorders that can affect various aspects of the body's metabolism. This process should be carried out not only in patients with symptoms of thyroid disorders, but also in people suffering from obesity.

This was clearly explained by dr. Dicky Levenus Phaseary, Sp.PD-KEMD, PhD, FINASIM, a specialist in endocrine, metabolic, and diabetes consultants from Eka Hospital BSD.

For the general public, thyroid screening is actually quite easy and can be done independently at home.

"The way to screen is easy. Just look at the glass, in front of you to see, the middle of the neck. Checked there was a lump a little from the right of the left while swallowing, drinking water or saliva," said dr. Dicky, when met in the Cikini area, Jakarta on Monday, July 28, 2025.

By paying attention to the movement on the neck when swallowing, we can recognize the presence of lumps or enlargements in the thyroid gland area. The symmetric movement of this gland is an early indicator of whether the thyroid works normally or not.

"Later the thyroid will move, we will see if it moves symmetrically or not," said dr. Dicky.

Tiroid Screening In Obesity Patients

In patients with obesity, thyroid screening is not always that easy. A layer of fat that covers the neck area can make it difficult to identify physically against enlargement or thyroid lumps.

"If you are obese, it is a bit difficult, because the layer of fat below is thicker. Like it or not, you have to be examined by a doctor or ultrasound," explained dr. Dicky.

In addition, obesity itself can be a symptom of thyroid disorders. Therefore, early detection is very important.

"Obesity is also a symptom of thyroid. So patients are obese if they are overweight by screening, thyroid must be examined including diabetes, obesity and ensuring there is no thyroid," said dr. Dicky.

dr. Dicky also emphasized that not all lumps in the neck are caused by thyroid tissue. Sometimes, enlargement only occurs in the fat layer under the skin.

"I have several patients too, the neck is big, it's only big skin fat under the skin. If the lump moves, it's visible, if under the skin it doesn't move," said dr. Dicky.

thyroid glands have vital functions in the body. Even though they are small in size and located under Javanese, thyroid plays a major role in regulating metabolism.

"Tiroids all have under Javanese with small thyroid but have a large function. thyroid hormone produces thyroid hormones. This is important to regulate metabolism. Metabolism, for example regulates weight, body heat, bowel movements frequency, affects heart rate and mood," added dr. Dicky.

thyroid screening can be done independently by paying attention to the movement of lumps in the neck when swallowing. However, for obese patients, further medical examinations such as ultrasound are recommended due to limited physical observation due to the fat layer.

Given the importance of thyroid hormone function for the body's metabolism, especially in obese patients, thyroid tests should not be ignored in a series of routine health screenings.