In the Philippines, Goiter Awareness Week is celebrated every fourth week of January by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1188 signed on 11 December 2016.

Goiter is a term that refers to the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland and is considered as one of the most common diseases of the endocrine system. It is usually caused by under or over production of thyroid hormones. 

Hypothyroidism happens when the thyroid gland produces little hormone and is manifested by fatigue, depression, feeling cold, sleepy, increase in weight even with no appetite, dryness of skin, difficulty in excretion, and dryness of the hair. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid glands produce excessive hormones, which speeds up the body’s metabolism. Its symptoms include swelling of the thyroid gland, increased heart rate, decrease in body weight, irritability, increase in blood pressure, increase in appetite but no weight gain, fatigue, difficulty in sleeping and concentration, and frequent defecation.

Iodine deficiency often causes goiter and is more common in individuals aged 60 years old and above, and pregnant and lactating women. Other than goiter, it may also lead to a child with cretinism, miscarriage, premature birth, or even prenatal death.

Goiters are preventable through adequate intake of iodine, which is added to table salt, and is also found in foods like dairy products, seafood (shellfish and seaweed), meat, bread, and egg. Through Goiter Awareness Week, we are reminded of the importance of adequate iodine intake to combat the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders in the country.