Dr. Gio Barangan, a pediatrician, explained that although cabbages are goitrogenic, they do not necessarily cause thyroid gland disorders.
Goitrogens are substances that affect the function of the thyroid gland.
"May mga myths before na kapag kumain ka ng repolyo, or mga cabbage, 'yung mga ganun, pwede daw na makaapekto sa thyroid gland. Ang tawag kasi sa kanila, mga goitrogenic na food. Pwede makaapekto sa thyroid pero kailangan ka kumain ng sako-sakong cabbage araw araw," Barangan explained in an interview on radio DZMM.
Goiter in the Philippines is mainly caused by iodine deficiency.
Aside from goiter, other thyroid disorders include hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of the thyroid hormone. Its symptoms include anxiety, heat intolerance, and irregular heartbeat.
Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Its symptoms include weight gain, cold intolerance, hair loss and, in some cases, depression.
Patients suffering from hypothyroidism also have brittle nails and an enlarged thyroid gland.
Meanwhile, Barangan warned that infants suffering from thyroid disorders have to be given immediate treatment as this may lead to mental retardation.
"Makikita na kung ang anak mo ay may problema sa thyroid gland kasi kung hindi mo natreat 'yan in the first three months, ang IQ biglang babagsak 'yan, magiging fully mentally retarded 'yung pasyente," he added.
Congenital disorders can be detected early through the newborn screening.
Barangan also pointed out that women aged 50 years and above are at higher risk of thyroid disorders such as goiter.
"Mas mataas ang incidence [ng goiter] kapag mas tumatanda ang babae," Barangan said.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
