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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Aiko Melendez's thyroid battle carries a reminder many Filipinos can relate to: 'Getting sick is really expensive'

Aiko Melendez's thyroid battle carries a reminder many Filipinos can relate to: 'Getting sick is really expensive'

Published Jul 16, 2026 03:48 pm

At A Glance

  • Aiko Melendez reveals her long battle with a thyroid condition, urging Filipinos not to skip medications or regular checkups as healthcare costs continue to rise.

For many Filipinos, it's easy to ignore a health condition once the symptoms disappear. Life gets busy, medications become an added expense, and a doctor's appointment can always wait.

Or so it seems.

That, according to Aiko Melendez, is a mistake she learned the hard way.

The actress and Quezon City councilor opened up about her long battle with a thyroid condition, sharing that she has been living with it since she was a teenager. While she was treated and faithfully took her medication in the past, she eventually stopped on her own after feeling better.

"Like many people, I made the mistake of thinking that once I felt better and the symptoms were gone, I could stop taking them on my own," she wrote on Facebook on Thursday, July 16.

Melendez admitted that thyroid disorders can be deceptive because symptoms are not always obvious, making regular checkups even more important.

"If there's one thing I've learned from this journey, it's this: listen to your body, don't skip your checkups, and never stop your medication without your doctor's advice," she said.

The actress said she decided to share her experience in the hope that others would avoid making the same mistake.

"If my story helps even one person avoid the same mistake, then this journey has a greater purpose."

Earlier this week, Melendez documented what she described as the second day of her "thyroid journey," revealing that she underwent a thyroid scan after a biopsy performed by her endocrinologist.

According to the actress, her doctor's initial assessment showed that her thyroid nodules appear to be benign, although she continues to wait and pray for the official biopsy results.

Beyond the medical updates, one statement struck a chord with many who have experienced the rising cost of healthcare.

"Thank You Lord Jesus for my health card that I didn't have to spend any single penny. Getting sick is really expensive. So take care of our health," she wrote.

Her candid admission resonated with a reality many families face. While celebrities often appear to live worry-free lives, Melendez's experience underscored that illness can affect anyone and that the financial burden of treatment can be overwhelming without proper medical coverage.

Related Tags

Aiko Melendez Thyroid Condition Thyroid Health Celebrity Health Health Awareness Regular Checkups Thyroid Disorder
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