Goitrogen

Goitrogens are substances that disrupt the production of thyroid hormones. This triggers the pituitary to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which then promotes the growth of thyroid tissue, eventually leading to goiter.^[1]

Broccoli is a goitrogenic food

Goitrogenic drugs and chemicals

Chemicals that have been shown to have goitrogenic effects include:

• Sulfadimethoxine (Albon),^[2] propylthiouracil,^[3] potassium perchlorate,^[4] and iopanoic acid.^[5]
• Some oxazolidines such as goitrin.^[6]
• Ions such as thiocyanate^[7] (from cigarette smoking for example^[8]) and perchlorate decrease iodide uptake by competitive inhibition and, as a consequence of reduced thyroxine and triiodothyronine secretion by the gland, cause, at low doses, an increased release of thyrotropin (by reduced negative feedback), which then stimulates the gland.^{[citation needed]}
• Amiodarone inhibits peripheral conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine; also interferes with thyroid hormone action.^{[citation needed]}
• Lithium inhibits thyroid hormone release.^{[citation needed]}
• Phenobarbitone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin induce metabolic degradation of triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxine (T₄).^{[citation needed]}

Goitrogenic foods

Foods which have been demonstrated to have goitrogenic effects include soy, cassava (when crushed and not detoxified by soaking,^[7]) vegetables in the genus Brassica (such as broccoli and cabbage),^{[9][page needed]} and other cruciferous vegetables.^[10] In places where iodine deficiency exists in tandem with millet being a major component of the diet, millet consumption can contribute to thyroid enlargement which is the start of endemic goiter.^[11]

See also

• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Thyroid