Do flame retardants increase risk of thyroid disease?
Are women who exposed to flame retardants at greater risk of thyroid disease? Plus: A look at the potential connection between maternal smoking status and risk of the child developing schizophrenia. Also, can telephone therapy help menopausal women get better sleep?
Women who have been exposed to polybrominated diphenyl esters (PBDEs)âcommon chemicals used as flame retardantsâmay have a higher risk of thyroid disease, according to results of a
To test the association between the chemicals and thyroid disease in women, the researchers used serum PBDE concentrations for BDEs 47, 99, 100, and 153, which were part of the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) and reports on thyroid problems, which had been a part of the NHANES 2003-2004 cycle. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs), while controlling for thyroid medication, alcohol consumption, smoking, education, age, and body mass index. Menopause status was identified using self-reported absence of menstruation in the previous 12 months.
Women who were in the highest quartile of BDE 47, 99, and 100 exposure showed increased odds of currently having thyroid disease (ORs: 1.5, 1.8, 1.5, respectively) when compared to those who were in the first and second quartiles combined. When the analysis was restricted to just postmenopausal women, the association was stronger (ORs: 2.2, 3.6, 2.0, respectively).
The researchers concluded that exposure to BDEs 47, 99, and 100 can increase the risk of thyroid disease. As for the stronger association in postmenopause, they hypothesized that the change in estrogen levels during menopause may disrupt thyroid signaling by PBDEs. The authors suggested additional research to confirm their findings, particularly when new NHANES data become available.
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