Thyroid Disruption, Chemical Pollution and Nutritional Deficiencies

Environmental chemicals can interfere with the thyroid system at numerous sites, and these are most often detected by alterations in circulating levels of thyroid hormone. There is significant public health need to provide protection of the developing brain of the fetus, newborn, and young child from thyroid system disrupting chemicals.  In this presentation the effects of developmental exposure to perchlorate and iodine deficiency.  Neurodevelopmental effects of perchlorate exposure are not only unmasked but greatly exacerbated under conditions of dietary iodine insufficiency, effects that would not necessarily be predicted from rodent models of either one alone.

Impact/Purpose

This is an invited presentation to the Ettore Majorana Foundation & Centre for Scientific Culture (EMFCSC) International Seminars on Planetary Emergencies to be held in Erice, Sicily. My presentation will report on the impact of environmental chemicals than can interfere with the thyroid system,  with an emphasis on the developing brain. A case study with the drinking water contaminant, perchlorate will be presented. The effects of developmental exposure to perchlorate when paired with dietary iodine deficiency was examined.  Neurodevelopmental effects of perchlorate exposure are not only unmasked but greatly exacerbated under conditions of dietary iodine insufficiency, effects that would not necessarily be predicted from rodent models of either one alone.

Citation

Gilbert, M. Thyroid Disruption, Chemical Pollution and Nutritional Deficiencies. Ettore Majorana Foundation & Centre for Scientific Culture (EMFCSC) International Seminars on Planetary Emergencies, Erice, Sicily, ITALY, August 08 - 14, 2024.