The Yukon won’t be hiring a thyroid doctor any time soon.
The government responded yesterday to a petition calling for a female thyroid specialist to work in Yukon as soon as possible.
The thyroid gland excretes hormones that regulates how the body uses energy and makes proteins. Thyroid dysfunction can cause a wide array of symptoms and is sometimes difficult to diagnose.
Last year, 56 Yukon patients were referred to Outside specialists for thyroid problems, said Health Minister Doug Graham in his response.
“The relatively small number of Yukoners diagnosed with thyroid problems each year, in our opinion, does not warrant the high cost of hiring a thyroid specialist for the territory.”
The Yukon already has systems to care for people with thyroid dysfunction, he said.
“There are well-established practice guidelines and protocols in place about the diagnosis and management of thyroid function disorders. If the services of a specialist are called for, our family physicians here in the territory can make the necessary referral or even call a specialist for immediate action or advice. Yukon has internists visiting every month who treat thyroid patients locally.
“We appreciate the concerns of everyone who signed this petition and thank them for sharing their views with the legislative assembly and with the government.”