Kuya Kim diagnosed with hypothyroidism

MANILA, Philippines - “TV Patrol’s” resident weatherman Kim Atienza bared he was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

In an interview with "Showbiz News Ngayon", Atienza, who was rushed to the hospital last August 11, explained how he suffered from mild stroke.

He said his doctors found out that he has hypothyroidism, a disease caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland causing slow metabolism and high cholesterol deposits, which block veins in the brain.

"Nalaman ng doktor ko na all these years pala ako ay hypothyroid. Bagamat ako ay very active sa TV at very hyper akong nakikita ng tao, hypotyroid pala ako. Ibig sabihin napakabagal ng metabolismo ko.

"So ang stress na napupunta sa akin ay mas napakatindi. Kumbaga sa stress ng ordinary tao, ang stress ng taong may hypo ay mas naii-stress pa," Atienza said.

He added: "Dahil diyan kahit napaka-ingat ko sa pagkain ko, ang cholesterol ko ay sobrang taas at ang mga cholestrol deposits na 'yan ang pumasok sa left side of the brain ko. Ang swerte na lang, sabi ng doctor, ang bara ay hindi humarang dahil kapag humarang sa isang vein ang bara ay pwedeng mamatay ang isang bahagi ng utak na yan," Atienza said.

Atienza added he stayed in the Intensive Care Unit of Makati Medical Center for five days and might leave the hospital after two to three more days.

He said because of what happened to him he realized a lot of things, among them that he has loving kids, a beautiful and very loving wife, and friends who really care for him.

"Because of what happened to me, napamahal ako sa pamilya ako. Ang mga anak ko bata pa. Ang misis ko sobrang ganda at sobrang mahal na mahal ako. Ang dami ko palang kaibigan. Alam mo ngayong nagka-stroke ako, I have 100 messages sa text, many new friends on tweets, mga kaibigan na hindi ko nakita ng ilang taon dumaaan sa ospital.

"I realized that I have so many friends but I have so little time for all of them because of all the work that I do. I love my work but there has to be a good balance now," he said.

Before the interview ended, Atienza bared he will be taking a break from his TV shows to fully recover.

He said he really miss his work but he must follow the order of his doctors to rest.

"I miss all of you and kung ako ang tatanungin niyo, bukas lang gusto ko ng bumalik sa TV. Pero sabi ng doktor, 'It's either television now or you die.'

"Huwag kayong mag-alala. Magpapahinga lang. Bubuwelo lang ng konti si Kuya Kim. And with this new energy, with this new life that God has given me, I will even be much, much better for all of you," Atienza ended.