Public advised to take iodine against goiter

THE public is encouraged to take the recommended dose of iodine that the body needs to prevent them from acquiring a goiter.

This is in line with this year’s goiter awareness drive with the theme, “Leeg ay Kapain, Goiter ay Sugpuin: Isip ay Patalinuhin, Iodized salt ay Gamitin.”

Dr. Nenuel Angelo Luna, internal medicine in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, said the recommended dietary allowance for adult men and women ages 19 and above is 150 micrograms per day.

For pregnant and lactating women, 229 and 299 mcg/per day are recommended, respectively.

Goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland.

The most common causes of the disease are iodine deficiency, autoimmunity, and nodules or swelling in the thyroid gland.

“Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of goiter, not just in the Philippines but also worldwide. The thyroid gland uses iodine to generate enough supply of hormones. If the body lacks iodine, the thyroid gland will double its job to produce more hormones, causing it to enlarge due to overusage,” Luna said at a health forum on Friday.

The thyroid gland is the butterfly-shaped organ in the lower front of the neck, which produces thyroid hormones responsible for many important bodily functions such as the regulation of weight, energy levels, internal temperature, skin, hair and nail growth, and metabolism.

In the country, there were around 15 provinces considered to have the highest prevalence of iodine deficiency, which the Philippine Thyroid Association has consistently monitored.

Meanwhile, of the 4,897 individuals tested for thyroid function, 417 or 8.5 percent had abnormalities being subclinical hyperthyroidism or mild cases, according to a study conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).

“Anybody can develop a goiter, but they are more common in women than men. It also increases the chance of getting the disease as people age and if it runs in the family,” Luna added.

Moreover, of the 7,227 volunteers who responded to the survey and clinical examination that the DoST conducted, 8.9 percent tested positive for goiter.

Luna said that patients may not usually feel anything, which is called asymptomatic. They may only notice it if a swelling at the lower front of the neck becomes visible.

He added that acquiring goiter may be due to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, which presents different impacts to patients.

Individuals with hypothyroidism — or the lack of production of hormones in the body — often grapple with chronic fatigue, which can make it challenging to stay active throughout the day.

It is also often associated with symptoms of depression and brain fog among patients, hindering one’s ability to concentrate and maintain a positive outlook.

However, he said that hyperthyroidism — or the overproduction of thyroid hormones — manifests otherwise.

This can lead to hyperactivity, increased anxiety and irritability, impacting the emotional wellbeing of a patient.

Moreover, experts said the most evident difference between the two is that people with hyperthyroidism tend to lose weight while people with hypothyroidism gain weight.