Thyroid disorders still affect a significant segment of Philippine society. A butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, thyroid is just above the collarbone. Thyroid hormones control the body’s metabolism. These include how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats.
Thyroid diseases include goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules. These are highly prevalent but neglected diseases in the Philippines.
The Department of Health (DOH) said that non-communicable diseases are not only limited to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, but also include neglected diseases like thyroid disorders relative to iodine deficiency.
“Thyroid disorders are preventable but can lead to the development of diseases like goiter, heart diseases, infertility, and congenital hyperthyroidism if left untreated,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III explained.
Women are more affected
These thyroid diseases affect women disproportionately, with women affected three times as much as men.
According to the 2018 National Nutrition Survey, iodine deficiency still exists among the elderly, lactating mothers and pregnant women.
Likewise, according to the 2012 Philippine Thyroid Diseases Study (PhilTiDes-1), the prevalence of thyroid function abnormalities in the Philippines is prevalent in 8.53 percent among the adult population. The study revealed that almost 1 out of 10 Filipinos is affected by goiter.
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.
The signs and symptoms of goiter can be varied and may include tiredness, a decrease or increase in weight, low or increased appetite, depression, dryness of skin and hair, sleepiness, diarrhea or constipation and menstrual irregularities (for women).
The DOH said that people who experience these symptoms should immediately see a doctor.
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.
Special attention should be extended to pregnant women because iodine deficiency during this critical period can cause premature birth, miscarriage or delivery of a baby with low intellect.
Data from the same study also showed that almost 1 out of 10 Filipinos is affected by goiter. Thyroid function abnormalities affect around 8 percent of the population, with an estimated 3 percent affected by some form of hypothyroidism, and about 6 percent affected by some form of hyperthyroidism.
Awareness
With this, the DOH joins the rest of the world in observing the International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW) and World Thyroid Day (WTD) 2021, with the theme “Mother-Baby-Iodine: The Importance of Iodine on the Woman and her Baby.”
The DOH said that the celebration aims to raise awareness on Iodine Deficiency Disorders in women of reproductive age, especially pregnant and lactating mothers, and on children during their first 1,000 days of life from conception.
According to the DOH, the extent and consequences of iodine deficiency disorders on women of reproductive age, especially pregnant and lactating mothers, are known to affect children during their first 1,000 days of life from conception.
ITAW is observed every 4th week of May of every year, while WTD is observed every May 25th, as declared by the 11th European Congress of Endocrinology in April 2009.