Fluoride and Thyroid Damage

Not often is there a publication released which shows an association with common items such as toothpaste and public water supplies to negative health consequences, but recent studies have revealed a link between fluoride and thyroid damage.

There is glaring evidence that shows even little amounts of fluoride, such as in toothpaste or in U.S. water supplies may deal out possible risks to the thyroid gland, according to the National Research Council's (NRC) introductory issue of the fluoride/thyroid literature.

Fluoride, in the configuration of silicofluorides, introduced into nearly seventy-five percent of U.S. public water reserves, apparently reduce tooth decay, however this practice was never fully tested, according to the Review of Toxicological Literature, October 2001 issue.

And many Americans are open to fluoride consumption without intentionally ingesting it, and at the same time may be affecting their thyroid's ability to function, particularly people that suffer from an iodine deficiency, according to Kathleen Thiessen, PhD, who is the co-author of the government-sponsored NRC study. Thiessen continues stating that the modern decline in iodine consumption within the United States could add to the toxicity of ingested fluoride for many people. And more alarming news comes from Thiessen. She states that low levels of thyroid hormone can raise the chances of many substantial health issues such as cardiac disease, depression, high cholesterol, and lower intelligence of offspring in pregnant women.

Symptoms of Thyroid Disease

Prevalent thyroid symptoms comprise of exhaustion, weight gain, constipation, clouded thought process, low blood pressure, fluid tenacity, melancholia, body pain, gradual reflexes, and much more. It is calculated that nearly fifty-nine million people in the United States suffer from some type of a thyroid disorder.

A leading environmental scientist who worked for over thirty years with the United States government with the responsibility of managing safety for highly dangerous chemicals, Robert Carton, PhD, said that it has serious effects on the thyroid gland of otherwise healthy males at 3.5 mg daily. For those with an iodine weakness, the consequence level reduces to 0.7 milligrams daily for a typical male and because it is in most water supplies, this data is alarming.

Scientists Probe Solutions

Dr. Richard and Kariless Shames state that people who have a thyroid disorder should avoid it. And John Doull who is professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the Medical Center of the University of Kansas sated that the thyroid effect is worrisome.

Hypothyroidism - Low Thyroid Production

Some experts believe that this is in part the reason for the upsurge of hypothyroid cases in the United States. The use of fluoride has been commonplace since the 1930's as an anti-thyroid treatment at levels below the current optimal approved levels of 1 mg daily. The reason for this is because of fluoride's capability to simulate the action of thyrotropin (TSH).  It is theorized, therefore, that of the more than one hundred and fifty symptoms of hypothyroidism, many of them are also symptoms of excessive fluoride intake and poisoning.

Andreas Schuld, who is a leading scientist and advocate, has discovered that an overabundance of it is consistent with varied thyroid-related issues such as an iodine shortcoming. Therefore, fluoride and iodine, the two of them are members of the halogens body of atoms, have an antagonistic association. When there is maximum of fluoride in the body it can intrude with the ability of the thyroid's function. It is statistical that iodine deficiency, which is the most prevailing influence of brain damage and mental disablement in the world, could be lessened by merely reducing the intake of fluoride.

Iodine and the Thyroid

The disorder known as "goiter" which involves a profound swelling of the thyroid gland, which then produces increased swellings in the neck, is related to iodine deficiency. Yet, it has also been discovered to arise in areas that have inadequate iodine supplies plus an excess of fluoride in the water supply.

Research has shown that one of the effects of low iodine in mothers may lead to an increased occurrence of mental retardation in their offspring. Fortunately, however, since the arrival of iodized salt this is a less recurring event.

Consult a Professional

If you or a loved one has questions about fluoride and thyroid damage, it is recommended that you consult with a health care professional because ultimately, it is your physician who can give you the definitive answers to these types of health questions.