[Chronic effects of fluorides on the pituitary-thyroid system in industrial workers]

Radioimmunologic study of thyrotropin and thyroid hormones in the blood of those engaged in fluorine production showed moderate functional changes of the hypophysis-thyroid gland system, not accompanied by clinical manifestations of hypo- or hyperthyreosis and caused by disorders of the regulatory chain and fluorine impact on thyroid hormones' metabolism at the level of target cells. Elevation of calcitonin concentration in workers' blood indicated stimulation of thyroid gland parafollicular cells. Phase states in the hypophysis-thyroid gland system were detected along with the dependence of some hormones' concentration on the duration of workers' contact with fluorine compounds and the stage of fluorosis.