DOH warns against fake thyroid, goiter supplement endorsements
The Department of Health is warning the public against fake endorsements of thyroid disease and goiter supplements circulating online.
The agency said the advertisements, which appear on social media, falsely use the DOH’s name and that of medical professionals, such as doctors, to promote the products.
DOH clarified that it does not endorse any supplement claiming to treat thyroid or goiter conditions and that products circulating online are not approved by the agency or its officials.
"Nananatiling neutral ang Kagawaran at walang anumang ugnayan sa mga negosyo o komersyal na pag-endorso," the health agency said in a statement.
The agency reminded the public to remain cautious and to obtain verified information only from official sources so as to avoid the spread of misinformation and potential harm.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Thyroid disease is an umbrella term for conditions affecting the functionality of the thyroid, which mainly include hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and has multiple causes. Meanwhile, goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland linked to several causes, mainly abnormal thyroid hormone levels.
Every fourth week of January, the Philippines observes Goiter Awareness Week.
The 2012 Philippine Thyroid Diseases Study states that 8.5% among the adult population in the country have thyroid function abnormalities. Goiter is the most common among these, with a 10.12% prevalence rate.
On the other hand, a 2013 National Nutrition Survey logged 5.8 million Filipinos with thyroid disorders.
