Environmental Toxins and the Thyroid

The thyroid is a hormone-producing gland that is important to human development, growth and metabolism. Unfortunately, it is extremely sensitive to many types of drugs and chemicals. People have the option of controlling which drugs and chemicals they put into their bodies, but some of these harmful chemicals have been introduced into the air, water and soil.

What is the Thyroid?

The thyroid is a gland located in the neck just below the larynx. It controls the body’s energy and metabolism through the secretion of certain hormones. These hormones are used by several different organs, so when too much or too little of a certain hormone is produced, the effects can be wide-ranging. The thyroid is especially important in pregnant women because it regulates the development of a fetus’s brain.

Thyroid Conditions

The thyroid must maintain an even balance of the hormones it produces. When the thyroid is overactive, the condition is called hyperthyroidism, and it can make a person feel irritable, create heart palpitations and cause excessive weight loss. An underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, may also cause several side effects, including fatigue, weight gain and reduced brain activity.

Women are more likely to suffer from thyroid conditions than men are because the thyroid often has difficulty adjusting after a woman gives birth. When the thyroid becomes affected during pregnancy, children risk being born with developmental disabilities. On average, children born to mothers with thyroid problems score seven points lower on IQ tests than children born to mothers with healthy thyroid hormone levels.

Environmental Toxins

While thyroid conditions may be caused by genetics, drugs or low nutritional iodine, several chemicals that have been released into the environment are also known to produce adverse effects on the thyroid:

•  Triclosan – This is one of the active ingredients in many types of antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer. Studies of frogs show that triclosan may be associated with limb deformities.
•  Phthalates – Phthalates are chemicals used to soften plastic, but they may also affect hormone levels in men.
•  Perfluorooctanoic acid (POFA) – POFA is used in nonstick cookware and stain-resistant clothing. Studies link high levels of POFA in the body to hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer.
•  Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) – PBDEs are flame-retardant chemicals linked to developmental disorders.
•  Perchlorate – This chemical is used in jet and rocket fuel, and it has been detected as a groundwater contaminant. It is a known danger to pregnant and breastfeeding women.