Thyroid disease has skyrocketed within the past few decades. If left untreated, thyroid disorders can lead to osteoporosis, infertility and elevated cholesterol. What is responsible for the epidemic of thyroid dysfunction? A growing body of research indicates that exposure to environmental toxins is a key piece of the thyroid disease puzzle.
Following stimulation by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) produced by the pituitary gland, the thyroid releases the hormone, thyroxine (T4), which must be converted by the liver into an active form called triiodothyronine (T3), which assists in regulating cardiovascular and neurological function along with supporting immunity, metabolism and energy levels.
The thyroid requires iodine and selenium to produce its hormones, and these elements are chemically attracted to the structure of thyroid hormones T3 and T4. This chemical attraction is referred to as “affinity,” and it can also occur between other substances and thyroid hormones. The types of toxins that affect the thyroid are thus primarily substances that mimic thyroid hormone structure, contain halogens or are heavy metals.
Environmental toxins that mirror thyroid hormone structure and invade the thyroid gland are categorized in the following four ways.
Heavy Metals: They are abundant in the environment with four damaging the thyroid the most. They are aluminum (commonly found in toiletries like deodorant, over-the-counter medications like antacids, food additives, cookware and vaccines); cadmium (is released into the environment through mining and smelting and is also ubiquitous in phosphate fertilizers, sewage sludge, batteries, pigments and plastics); lead (was used in paint in old housing, some metal jewelry, children’s toys, mining and other forms of industrialization); and mercury (found in seafood, dental amalgams and pollution produced by coal-burning power plants).
Household Toxins: Modern-day homes can contain a plethora of toxins, including flame retardants, computer and TV screens, furniture, carpet padding and synthetic textiles. Flame retardants disrupt thyroid function by mimicking the structure of thyroid hormone. They displace T4 from thyroid hormone-binding proteins, preventing T4 from being transported in the blood. They also compete with T4 for thyroid hormone receptor binding sites and disrupt estrogen activity.
Plastics appear in items such as food storage containers, water bottles, personal care products and children’s toys. Many plasticizers, such as BPA and phthalates, mimic the structures of natural hormones and thus have a disruptive effect on the endocrine system, including thyroid function.
The antibacterial chemical triclosan, found in products such as liquid hand soap, and PFOA, used in non-stick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics are two more toxins. Fluoride and nitrates can also cause issues with the thyroid.
Industrial Chemicals: The most prevalent are: Dioxin (a byproduct of pesticide production, plastic making and other manufacturing processes); perchlorate (is man made and found in soil of arid environments and is widely used in military applications, including rocket fuel and explosives, as well as in the production of leather, rubber, paint and batteries); perfluorinated chemicals or PFCs (has been on the decline, but is still found in mattresses, detergents, food packaging and fire extinguishers); and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs (widely used as lubricants in electrical equipment and for adhesive, paint or plastic production). Even exposure at levels considered standard in the United States has been associated with decreased T4 as mentioned earlier.
Agricultural Agents: Pesticides, herbicides and fungicides weaken thyroid function to the point of causing hypothyroidism or low thyroid. Agricultural agents wreck thyroid function by altering thyroid hormone gene expression, preventing the uptake of iodine into the thyroid, blocking thyroid hormone from binding to its transport proteins, lowering the absorption of thyroid hormone into thyroid cells and promoting thyroid hormone removal from the body.
Among all heavy metal toxins, chronic toxicity with aluminum, lead and mercury can further damage the thyroid by recruiting antibodies to attack the thyroid. This process contributes to the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATTD), such as Graves’ disease and Hasimoto’s thyroiditis. Research has yet to determine the physiological mechanisms by which ATTD manifests, however two causes have been identified – environmental toxicity and genetic predisposition.
Contracting any of the following viruses enhances the incidence of thyroid disease: AIDS, enterovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C, herpes simplex virus, HIV, human parvovirus B19, human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1, mumps and rubella.
The most common thyroid diseases are Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. Symptoms for Hashimoto’s can be anxiety, brain fog, cold intolerance, depression, fatigue, heart palpitations, hair loss, loose bowels and an inability to lose weight. Graves’ has similar symptoms, but also include a fine tremor of the hands or fingers, heat sensitivity, weight loss, bulging eyes, thyroid enlargement, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction in men and menstrual cycle changes in women.
The best way to figure out what is going and get the best diagnosis is to request a thyroid antibody test.
Prevention should center on strengthening the thyroid along with avoiding environmental toxins as much as possible. The following are some ways to do this: Avoid using hand soaps and other cleaning agents with anti-bacterial properties; limit the use of plastic containers for drinking and food storage; consume foods rich in iodine and selenium; replace non-stick cookware; reduce stress; correct nutritional imbalance; strengthen immunity; limit estrogen dominance; drink filtered water; use a filter to clean your air; buy clean food; buy clean body products; check the Dirty Dozen list of chemicals; and know your SNP status.
No matter an individual’s gender or genetics, maintaining a healthy, toxin-free environment both externally and internally is the best way to support thyroid health and avoid autoimmune thyroid disease. Pay close attention to changes in energy, weight and sleep.