Hashimoto\'s Thyroiditis Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause

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Table   14: Partial List    of  Environmental   Agents  

That    Interfere   with    Thyroid Function

Agent Example of Sources Mode of Action Human Studies

PCBs* Coolants and lubricants

Thyroid receptor

agonist/antago-

nist, can alter

levels of T4 and

TSH

Increase in TSH,

thyroid volume,

thyroid

antibodies

Organochlorine

pesticides

Pesticide on

crops

Accelerate

metabolism of T4

No human

studies

PBDEs* retardantsFlame^

Bind to thyroid

receptors,

displacing T4

from binding

proteins

Increase in

Hashimoto’s

BPA Plastic bottles

Antagonizes

thyroid

receptors

No human

studies

Perchlorate,

thiocyanate

Rocket fuel,

fertilizer, smoking

Inhibits iodine

uptake

No human

studies

Triclosan Antibacterial soaps Reduces serum T4 No human studies^

Isoflavones* Soy products Inhibits TPO activity

Potential

increase in

Hashimoto’s

Adapted from Eschler DC, Hasham A, Tomer Y. Cutting edge: the etiology of autoimmune thy-
roid diseases. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. Oct 2011:41(2):190–197.

*Human studies associated this as a trigger or accelerator in the development of Hashimoto’s.