A widely-circulated Facebook post claims that milkfish gallbladder (apdo ng bangus) is an effective remedy against goiter. This is not true, and there is scientific evidence showing that it may actually be toxic for humans.
On April 12, a Filipino-managed FB page that regularly posts “health tips” published the following instructions on how to use milkfish gallbladder against the thyroid disease:
“alam nyo ba na Ang apdo ng bangus, ay mabisang Lunas o magpaliit ng goiter.
Ang gagawin mo, kung bumili ka ng bangus Kunin mo Ang apdo, linisan, at ibilad mo sa init.
huwag Yung masyadong Tuyo,
at butasan ng perdeble o karayum.
at Kunin Yung parang oil nya.
at ipahid sa leeg mo.
gawin mo sa araw at gabi.
try nyo epektibo ito
(Did you know that milkfish gallbladder is an effective cure or helps shrink goiter? What you need to do: When you buy milkfish, get the gallbladder, clean it and let it dry under the sun. Don’t let it get too dry and use a safety pin or needle, get the oil-like thing inside it and rub it on your neck. Do it day and night. Try it, it’s effective).”
To verify the claim, VERA Files Fact Check reached out to the Philippine Institute for Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC), an attached agency of the Department of Health that conducts research, formulates guidelines and promotes traditional and alternative health care.
In an email on April 23, PITAHC’s Research and Development Division told VERA Files: “PITAHC does not recommend the use of milkfish gallbladder for the treatment of goiter, diabetes, or any other medical condition. There is no evidence of therapeutic benefit, and there is substantial scientific evidence of serious, potentially fatal toxicity.”
“The public is strongly advised against this practice,” added the agency. “Individuals experiencing symptoms of goiter or diabetes should consult a licensed healthcare professional.”
The agency cited several studies providing evidence that a toxin called 5a-cyprinol sulfate, which cannot be neutralized through cooking, has been found in fish gallbladders. This may be particularly harmful to the kidneys and liver.
For example, a 2021 case report in the World Journal for Clinical Cases documented how the consumption of fish gallbladder caused kidney failure and hepatitis (liver inflammation) in a 50-year-old woman in China. The report also noted that ingestion of fish gallbladder has “long been used as a folk remedy in many Asian countries” but that it is also known to cause multiple organ damage resulting in near-death experiences.
A similar experience has been documented in Vietnam, where 16 victims from 1995 to 2000 all experienced profuse vomiting and diarrhea, and developed acute renal failure, after consuming large amounts of fish gallbladder. More cases have been reported in India and Indonesia.
What about using ‘apdo’ against diabetes?
While writing this fact-check, VERA Files also came across several other posts on FB and YouTube posted since 2024 claiming that the consumption of fish gallbladder is effective against diabetes. At least three such claims have been published by just one person, who publishes alleged “herbal remedies.” (See archived copies here, here and here.)
PITAHC maintains that there has been no evidence of therapeutic benefits from consuming fish apdo and that individuals experiencing symptoms of the disease should consult licensed healthcare professionals.
The false post about fish gallbladder against goiter was posted by the FB page Pinoy Medicine and has so far received 2,300 reactions; 199 comments; and over 1,000 shares.
