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Updated: May 30, 2026
04:14
In vivo Characterization of Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Effects via Thyroid Hormone Action Indicator Mouse
Published on: October 6, 2023
Perfluorocarbon exposure, gender and thyroid function in the C8 Health Project
Sarah S Knox1, Timothy Jackson, Stephanie J Frisbee
1Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. sknox@hsc.wvu.edu
The Journal of Toxicological Sciences
|August 2, 2011
Summary
Common household chemicals like PFOA and PFOS disrupt thyroid function. Exposure to these perfluorocarbons is linked to altered thyroid hormone levels in adults, impacting thyroxine and T3 uptake.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Endocrinology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are prevalent in consumer products and detected globally in environmental and human samples.
- Previous studies suggest a link between PFCs and thyroid disease, particularly in women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between exposure to perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in drinking water and thyroid function.
- To assess thyroid function outcomes including thyroxine, T3 uptake, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 52,296 adults with at least one year of PFOA exposure from drinking water.
- Stratified analyses by gender and age groups (<50 and >50 years).
Main Results:
- Both PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were significantly associated with elevated serum thyroxine and reduced T3 uptake in all participants.
- Significant gender-specific interactions were observed for PFOS and PFOA with T3 uptake and thyroxine levels.
Conclusions:
- Findings provide evidence that common perfluorocarbons disrupt thyroid function.
- The study suggests potential mechanisms for thyroid disruption by these widely used chemicals.
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