Ask an Endocrinologist: Dr Daniel Wai from Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital Singapore

Ask a Doctor Forum › Category: Endocrinology › Ask an Endocrinologist: Dr Daniel Wai from Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital Singapore

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Dr Daniel Wai asked 2 years ago

I am Dr Daniel Wai, Endocrinologist based in Mount Elizabeth (Orchard) Hospital Singapore. Ask Me Anything! I was born in Hong Kong and was awarded the Ministry of Education scholarship to pursue my studies in Singapore. Subsequently, I decided to make Singapore my home. I obtained my Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from the National University of Singapore in 1998 and obtained my membership of the Royal College of Physician (United Kingdom) and Master of Medicine (Internal Medicine) Singapore in 2001. I later underwent advanced specialist training in the Singapore General Hospital and completed it in 2006. From 2007 to 2008, I went to the Alfred Hospital and Baker Heart Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia for further training in management of lipid disorders. I ran the Lipid Clinic in the Singapore General Hospital upon my return, treating many patients with hard-to-treat cholesterol problems. In 2010, I was made the Director of the Obesity and Metabolic Unit of my department, leading a team of doctors, dietitian, physiotherapist and psychologists to provide the medical and surgical treatment for obesity and cholesterol problems. I have given over 135 local and international lectures over the years, on topics on diabetes, cholesterol, obesity and thyroid. The audience ranged from the public, medical students, physiotherapists, dietitians, traditional Chinese physicians, cardiologists, ophthalmologists and other internal medicine specialists. I was Adjunct Assistant Professor of the medical faculty of the National University of Medicine from October 2010 to Dec 2011. I am active in research and was principle investigator of studies in genetics of cholesterol, visceral fat, cardiovascular risk factors and thyroid eye disease, with funding from the National Medical Research Council and Biomedical Research Council. I was also regularly invited by those research institutes as a reviewer of research grant application, as well as reviewer of research papers in local and international journals. As interesting as leadership, teaching and research are, I remain most passionate about patient care. I was awarded the Service with A Heart Award by the Singapore General Hospital 3 times, in recognition of the excellent service I have provided to my patients. I speak English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Bahasa Indonesia. I was regularly interviewed by the Media regarding topics on obesity, diabetes and cholesterol care. Learn more about me here: https://patients.smarterhealth.sg/specialist-doctor/daniel-wai/ I am excited to be here to share/discuss Endocrine Health with everyone. I will be actively answering questions. Whether you've got questions about diabetes, cholesterol, obesity or thyroid disorders, ask me anything! === Want to ask a question? Submit your question at the bottom of this page. Don’t forget to include your name and email address to get notified when the doctor answers your question.

20 Answers

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Lea Wang answered 2 years ago

I am currently under treatment for my hyperthyroid condition. I can feel my body getting weaker and my heart beating faster. Is this a side effect of the treatment or a symptom of my condition?

Dr Daniel Wai replied 2 years ago

Heart beating fast is a symptom of hyperthyroidism. With treatment, symptoms should get better. Do contact your doctor if your symptoms are not getting better.

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Anon answered 2 years ago

Is it true that thyroid problems are related to depression? How do I know if the mood fluctuations I experience is due to thyroid problems?

Dr Daniel Wai replied 2 years ago

Sometimes hypothyroidism (Low thyroid levels) can contribute to Low mood or even depression. It is customary for doctors to check the thyroid function when a patient presents with depression. You can certain ask your doctor to check it with a simple blood test.

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Boon answered 2 years ago

My wife is 35 years old and has been experiencing lethargy for a while now. Yesterday, she felt a lump growing on her neck, and complained that it has been causing her pain when she swallows food. Is this an endocrine problem?

Dr Daniel Wai replied 2 years ago

It is possible that your wife has hypothyroidism (low thyroid). Please bring her to see a doctor for a check up. A simple blood test will allow us to reach the diagnosis.

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Sujith K answered 2 years ago

How long does a goiter take to go away? I have had it for two months now and it doesn’t seem to be getting better.

Dr Daniel Wai replied 2 years ago

Whether a goitre will go away depends on the diagnosis. Please discuss with your doctor whether the goitre is expected to become smaller.

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Alvin answered 2 years ago

I perspire a lot. I read online that this condition of mine could be due to certain diseases, including hormonal problems. Is it true? How do I differentiate my sweating from ordinary sweating?

Dr Daniel Wai replied 2 years ago

It is possible to be a thyroid problem, so please go to a doctor to check it out. Ordinary sweating happens when one feels hot. Hyperthyroidism (high thyroid) causes hot feeling and sweating all the time. A simple blood test will help differentiate the two.

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Matthew answered 2 years ago

I have a lump on the right side of my neck. I think it has been there since a year ago, but it was small then. Now it’s grown bigger. I don’t know if this is a halo effect or medically related, but I think since I’ve had this lump, my breath is shorter. I didn’t lose weight or my appetite. Can I have your opinion on this, Doctor?

Dr Daniel Wai replied 2 years ago

A lump that is growing may mean that there is a thyroid nodule. Please go and see a doctor to have an assessment. Usually an ultrasound and biopsy is required for a thyroid nodule.

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Linda answered 2 years ago

My weight has been increasing steadily for the past 5 years. Everytime i try to exercise, I feel lethargic. I sleep a lot but it doesn’t help with the lethargy. I went for an ultrasound and was told I have a parathyroid tumour. So far the blood results show it is non-cancerous. Should I go for surgery to remove it since it’s non-cancerous?

Dr Daniel Wai replied 2 years ago

The indication for parathyroid surgery is if the calcium level is high in the blood or urine, or if there is osteoporosis. Please have a discussion with your doctor to see whether it is necessary.

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P. K answered 2 years ago

After tonsillitis surgery, there is a lump growing under my husband’s chin. He says it is hard for him to swallow food. His sleep pattern is also affected. He can be awake all night, and feel very sleepy and weak during the day. Could you give us your opinion on this, Doctor?

Dr Daniel Wai replied 2 years ago

Lumps under the chin may be a lymph node or salivary gland. It is not possible to diagnose this just from a written description. Please ask him to go back to the doctor who performs the tonsillitis to exam that lump under the chin.

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Ho answered 2 years ago

There is a small lump on my upper neck, right below my skull. It feels hard and hurts when it is pressed. I can sometimes feel a liquid emerging from it. I am very sure it is not a pimple or boil though. What condition is this?

Dr Daniel Wai replied 2 years ago

It is hard to know what it is from the description. Please see a doctor for an examination.

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Max answered 2 years ago

I once had a surgery to remove a lump behind my ear. My biopsy shows it is not dangerous. However, these past 3 weeks, I have been feeling a throbbing pain in that area, together with severe migraine. I lose my appetite and feel anxious all the time. I cannot sleep and I urinate a lot because I feel like I’m always thirsty and I drink a lot of water. I read an online article that mentioned these symptoms may be due to endocrine problems (especially since I had a lump once). What should I do to fix this? What examination should I undergo now?

Dr Daniel Wai replied 2 years ago

A lump behind the ear is not an endocrine gland so it is probably unrelated. However, being always thirsty and drinking a lot of water may be a sign of diabetes, and feeling anxious may be a sign of thyroid problem. Please go and see your doctor for a check up.

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