Question

How do goitrogens affect the thyroid diagrammatic?

Answer 1

Goitrogens are substances that cause the thryoid to enlarge forming a “goitre”. They may be foods, pharmaceutical drugs (eg, lithium) or chemicals in environmental pollution.

They can affect the thyroid’s ability to produce metabolism regulating hormones, by interfering with iodine metabolism. This causes the pituitary gland to release thyroid stimulating hormone which may cause the thyroid to eventually lay down more cells in an effort to increase its production of hormones, leading to an enlarged thyroid or “goitre”.