Exposure to Dioxins Can Impact Thyroid Function

Dioxins are highly toxic compounds that are primarily produced by industrial processes, and their persistence in the environment makes them a significant public health concern. They can be released into the air during natural processes as well, such as forest fires and volcanoes. 

Today people are exposed to dioxins primarily by eating food, in particular animal products, contaminated by these chemicals. Dioxins are absorbed and stored in fat tissue and, therefore, accumulate in the food chain.

Recently, scientists have begun to study the potential impact of exposure to environmental chemicals, such as dioxins, on thyroid function. 

In the new study, the researchers used three different statistical methods to investigate the combined effects of 20 environmental dioxins on thyroid function. They used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2010.

A total of 20 dioxins and levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in the blood of 2,818 adults. The researchers found that dioxins were significantly associated with high TSH. A high TSH level indicates that the thyroid gland is not making enough thyroid hormone.

“Although more research on how dioxins affect thyroid function is needed, efforts to reduce exposure to dioxins and other toxic chemicals could help to reduce the risk of thyroid dysfunction and improve public health outcomes,” Han said.

Sources:

The Endocrine Society. “Exposure to dioxins can worsen thyroid function.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 15 June 2023. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230615183242.htm>.

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