Thyroid Toxins

1. Fluoride

Fluoride used to be added to our water in South Africa but currently, Rand water does not add any. This is a big relief as fluoride can cause several health issues, including skeletal fluorosis, dental fluorosis, arthritis, osteoporosis, muscle damage, fatigue, joint problems, endocrine damage, and more.  A recent report from 2024 found that fluoride exposure is associated with lower IQ in children.
Because fluoride competes with iodine in the body, this can lead to hypothyroidism and impaired thyroid hormone production. Thyroid cells absorb iodine and combine it with the amino acid tyrosine. This is then converted into the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). If fluoride displaces iodine,  the thyroid gland absorbs fluoride instead, thereby disrupting the production of thyroid hormones. 
Aside from our drinking water, other common sources of fluoride include the following:

• Bottled beverages (due to fluoride content in water)
• Toothpaste, mouthwash, and other dental hygiene products
• Black tea, red tea, and other teas
• Canned food items
• Black/red rock salt
• Chewing tobacco
• Supplements (always check the labels)
• Medications

2. BPA and Plastics
Many of the plastic containers we use to store our food contain BPA, an endocrine disruptor. BPA is a xenoestrogen that may increase TSH and can trigger the autoimmune attack on the thyroid. 
Microplastics are found not only in obvious sources like plastic containers and packaging but also in the lining of canned foods and drinks, receipts, toys, electronics, and household items. There are even microplastics in our tap water!

3. Non-Stick Cookware
Most common non-stick pots and pans contain phthalates and BPA, which are known endocrine disruptors. As mentioned above, these chemicals may increase TSH and perpetuate the autoimmune attack on the thyroid.  Aluminum is also found in many cooking pans, and scratched non-stick pans are a common source of aluminum toxicity.
Non-stick pans may also contain PFAs (a.k.a forever chemicals). Recent research has shown that even a single scratch on a non-stick pan can release anywhere from thousands to millions of microplastic and PFA particles. 

4. Air Fresheners, Candles, and Perfume
Artificial fragrances are in many of our personal care and household products, and they are another thyroid-disrupting toxin.
These artificial fragrances contain harmful synthetic chemicals, including phthalates, parabens, and other endocrine-disrupting compounds, which have been linked to potential thyroid disruption, and some studies even suggest that these compounds may contribute to autoimmune activation.  Synthetic fragrances found in some candles, incense, personal care products  (body sprays, etc.), cleaning products, and even “odor removal” and air freshener products, may contain harmful toxins.
One study examined 25 “fragranced” products and each product tested emitted one to eight hazardous or toxic chemicals, and 44 percent of products generated at least one carcinogenic air pollutant  (acetaldehyde or formaldehyde).

5. Flame Retardants
Flame retardants have been used since the 1970s in a variety of daily-use items, and can be found everywhere, including:

• Furniture (e.g. mattresses, furniture, curtains, carpets, kitchen appliances)
• Electronics (e.g. TVs, mobile phones, video equipment, scanners, printers)
• Motorcars (e.g. seat fabrics, plastic panels, children’s car seats, electronics)
• Building materials (e.g. insulation, electric components)

Flame retardants are associated with worsening thyroid function, impacts on the immune system, adverse effects on fetal and child development, changes in neurologic function, and even cancer.  More specifically, brominated flame retardants can disrupt iodine uptake, which is essential for thyroid hormone production, and affect enzymes that are necessary for the T4 for T3 conversion. 

6. Pesticides
Our agriculture system uses hundreds of herbicides and pesticides, many of which have known detrimental effects on our health.
Glyphosate is one of the most widely used pesticides, and there is concern about its impact on our health. Specifically, there is a growing body of research showing that glyphosate exposure can negatively affect our gut microbiome. A 2023 study found that low-dose glyphosate exposure altered the gut microbiota in such a way that increased pro-inflammatory cells and markers of intestinal inflammation.
These alterations can lead to leaky gut, which we know is one of the three factors that must be present in order for autoimmune disease to develop.

7. Mold
Molds are all around us and their exposure in large quantities can sometimes lead to serious health problems. Indoors, the most common types of mold typically found are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, and Aspergillus. Common health complications related to indoor mold exposure include asthma attacks, headaches, dizziness, sinus infections, and skin rashes. Some molds produce toxic secondary metabolites called mycotoxins. We call these “toxic molds,” as their mycotoxins can cause serious health problems for both humans and animals. An adverse reaction to mold can be a trigger for Hashimoto’s, asthma, and other autoimmune conditions. The mold Aspergillus, commonly found indoors, has been shown in studies to be a cause of thyroiditis in immuno-suppressed people. In one study, as much as 20 percent of people affected by disseminated disease were shown to have thyroids that were infiltrated by the Aspergillus mold. Mold exposure can also cause sinus problems. These infections can then drain into the gut and cause intestinal permeability. This “leaky gut” caused by mold exposure can become a major trigger for an autoimmune condition such as Hashimoto’s. A potential clue of mold being a root cause is when a person’s health deteriorates after moving into a new home. 

8. Heavy metals
​Mercury, lead, and arsenic are some of the biggest hidden toxins found in conventional lipstick and other beauty products. They aren’t listed on ingredient labels, but independent lab testing has found these metals in many popular brands. Lead has long been linked to neurological issues and hormone disruption, while mercury can interfere with thyroid and adrenal function.
Arsenic, another common contaminant, can cause hair loss, joint pain, fatigue, and even increase thyroid antibodies, triggering and driving autoimmune thyroid disease. 
Mercury can be found in high levels in some seafood, and in amalgam tooth fillings. High levels can accumulate in the thyroid gland, disrupting thyroid function and increasing the risk of thyroid cancer. 
Lead can be found in old paint, pipes, and some cosmetics, and chronic lead exposure has been linked to hypothyroidism.  Lead can impact thyroid function by blocking iodine uptake and affecting thyroid hormone production.
Aluminum is found in many cooking pans and antiperspirants. High levels of aluminum in the body have been linked to the development of autoimmune disease, as well as breast cancer and cognitive impairment.