By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1188 signed on December 11, 2016 by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Goiter Awareness Week is observed every fourth week of January in the Philippines. The lack of iodine in the body may result to Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) that has different signs and symptoms. Pregnant mothers who lack iodine in their body may experience miscarriage or give birth to a stillborn baby. Adult with iodine deficiency may encounter lethargy, lack of mental alertness, obesity, dry hair and goiter. If untreated, these disorders could lead to the detrimental reduction of intellectual and physical capacity, and even death among susceptible individuals.

Goiter is a health condition that involves the enlargement of the thyroid gland. This causes the formation of a lump in the front of the neck. Most goiter produce no symptoms, but when symptoms occur, the following are the most common; tightness in the throat, cough and hoarseness and trouble in swallowing. Goiter can be caused by a number of different conditions like Iodine deficiency, autoimmune disease (Grave’s disease) and hyperthyroidism as well as smoking and hormonal changes.

According to the 2012 Philippine Thyroid Diseases Study, the prevalence of thyroid function abnormalities in the Philippines is 8.53 percent among the adult population, and among the thyroid disorders, goiter is most common with a prevalence rate of 10.12%. Meanwhile, the 2013 National Nutrition Survey revealed that about 5.8 million Filipinos were afflicted with thyroid disorders in different clinical presentations.

People with goiter often have an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, which can lead to the appearance of a mass or swelling in the neck. If individuals have a family history of goiter or experience the symptoms mentioned above, it is worth visiting a doctor for proper consultation. The earlier the diagnosis of goiter, the sooner one can seek the best options with your doctor’s recommendation. People who experience these symptoms should also immediately see a doctor.

If goiter is caused by one’s diet, the following suggestions are recommended:

• Get enough iodine. Since iodine deficiency is the most common cause of goiter in the Philippines, people are advised to use iodized salts in their meals and to eat food rich in iodine such as dairy products, seafood (shellfish and seaweeds), meats, bread and eggs. Everyone needs about 150 micrograms of iodine a day (the amount in slightly less than half a teaspoon of iodized salt). But adequate amounts are especially important for pregnant and lactating women and for infants and children.
• Avoid excess iodine consumption.Although it’s uncommon, getting too much iodine sometimes leads to a goiter. If excess iodine is a problem, avoid iodine-fortified salt, shellfish, seaweed and iodine supplements.
• Focus on pregnant women. Special attention should be provided to pregnant women because iodine deficiency during this critical period can cause premature birth, miscarriage or delivery of a baby with low intellect.
• Raise awareness and consciousness. The campaign aims to disseminate the ill effects, prevention, and signs and symptoms of goiter or bosyo in Filipino. # LCVLauzon