Is uranium exposure associated with an increase in thyroid-related antibodies?
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: OPS 27: Radiation, EMF and morbidity, Room 210, Floor 2, August 27, 2019, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Background/ Aim: Ionizing radiation is a known risk factor for thyroid cancer. However, the effect of uranium, a radioactive element naturally present in the environment, on thyroid function is not fully understood. Some studies suggested an association between increasing levels of urinary uranium and decreased total and free thyroxine levels, however the effect of uranium exposure on thyroid-related antibodies is unknown. Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb’s) are thought to distinguish between who are euthyroid, or who have clinical disease. Methods: We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007-2010 to analyze the relationship between urinary uranium levels and two thyroid related antibodies; thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) in adults> 20 year old without thyroid disease (nesc1798). TPOAb and TgAb (IU/mL) were creatinine- and log-adjusted. Models with uranium as a log-adjusted/ creatinine-adjusted continuous variable, and divided into quartiles of exposure, adjusting for age, sex, race, and BMI were assessed, using complex survey design. Results: The median (IQR) creatinine-adjusted urinary uranium level was 0.006 (0.003, 0.011) μg/g creatinine (n=3125). After adjustment, there was a significant positive association between higher uranium exposure and TgAb (β=0.11, 95% CI: 0.02-0.20 for quartile 2; β=0.11, 95% CI: 0.01-0.22 for quartile 3; β=0.08, 95% CI: -0.02-0.22 for quartile 4, compared to quartile 1). There was a marginally positive association between urinary uranium levels and TGAb (p=0.0947) in the continuous model. There was no significant association of TPOAb with urinary uranium in either model. Conclusions: Exposure to uranium is significantly associated with increasing TgAb levels; this association was not found for TPOAb. Since TgAb provides a surrogate for thyroglobulin, a precursor for thyroid hormones, our results possibly suggest that long-term exposure to uranium may lead to thyroid dysfunction.
Source: Environmental Epidemiology
Authors: Van Gerwen M, Alpert N, Taioli E
Institution: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Language: English
Subfield: Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,200
OpenAlex ID: W2982016307