Our bodies rely on a complex system of hormones to function correctly. A small, butterfly-shaped gland in our neck called the thyroid produces hormones that are vital for metabolism, energy, and overall health. However, certain chemicals in the environment, known as endocrine disruptors (EEDs), can interfere with this delicate balance and lead to thyroid problems.

What Are Endocrine Disruptors?

EEDs are external substances that can mimic or disrupt our body's hormones. You can find them in everyday products and the environment. Some common examples include:

• Plasticizers, like BPA
• Detergents
• Flame retardants
• Pesticides
• Heavy metals, like mercury and cadmium

These substances can enter our bodies through food, water, furniture/rugs, amalgam fillings, or the air and disrupt the way our hormones work.

How Do They Affect the Thyroid?

EEDs can interfere with thyroid function in several ways, leading to a range of issues. The most notable impacts include:

• Damaging Thyroid Tissue: They can directly harm the physical structure of the thyroid gland.
• Disrupting Hormone Signals: They can block or alter the signals that tell the thyroid to make and release hormones.
• Interfering with Receptors: They can bind to the same receptors that thyroid hormones use, preventing the hormones from doing their job.
• Harming the Brain-Thyroid Connection: The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis is a crucial communication pathway between the brain and the thyroid. EEDs can disrupt this axis, throwing the entire system out of whack.

Specific Examples of EEDs and Their Effects

Research has shown a clear link between elevated levels of EEDs and changes in thyroid hormone levels. For example:

• Bisphenol A (BPA) has been linked to a decrease in overall thyroid hormone levels.
• Pesticides have been shown to lower TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) while increasing the levels of free T3 and T4 hormones.
• Heavy metals, such as mercury and cadmium, can also negatively impact thyroid hormone levels. Mercury has been shown to decrease both total T3 and T4, while cadmium primarily decreases total T3.

Testing EEDs

I use a specialized lab that tests common EEDs through a urine sample. The levels excreted in your urine represent the storage levels in your body. Once these EEDs are identified, specific detoxification protocols can be followed to excrete these toxins. The goal is to free up thyroid function through targeted detoxification.

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Reference 

He, J., Xu, J., Zheng, M., Pan, K., Yang, L., Ma, L., Wang, C., & Yu, J. (2024). Thyroid dysfunction caused by exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors and the underlying mechanism: A review. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 391, Article 110909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2024.110909 

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