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. 2020 Jun 4;12(6):1669.
doi: 10.3390/nu12061669.

Interference on Iodine Uptake and Human Thyroid Function by Perchlorate-Contaminated Water and Food

Giuseppe Lisco  1 , Anna De Tullio  2 , Vito Angelo Giagulli  2   3 , Giovanni De Pergola  4 , Vincenzo Triggiani  2
Affiliations

Interference on Iodine Uptake and Human Thyroid Function by Perchlorate-Contaminated Water and Food

Giuseppe Lisco et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Background: Perchlorate-induced natrium-iodide symporter (NIS) interference is a well-recognized thyroid disrupting mechanism. It is unclear, however, whether a chronic low-dose exposure to perchlorate delivered by food and drinks may cause thyroid dysfunction in the long term. Thus, the aim of this review was to overview and summarize literature results in order to clarify this issue.

Methods: Authors searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, institutional websites and Google until April 2020 for relevant information about the fundamental mechanism of the thyroid NIS interference induced by orally consumed perchlorate compounds and its clinical consequences.

Results: Food and drinking water should be considered relevant sources of perchlorate. Despite some controversies, cross-sectional studies demonstrated that perchlorate exposure affects thyroid hormone synthesis in infants, adolescents and adults, particularly in the case of underlying thyroid diseases and iodine insufficiency. An exaggerated exposure to perchlorate during pregnancy leads to a worse neurocognitive and behavioral development outcome in infants, regardless of maternal thyroid hormone levels.

Discussion and conclusion: The effects of a chronic low-dose perchlorate exposure on thyroid homeostasis remain still unclear, leading to concerns especially for highly sensitive patients. Specific studies are needed to clarify this issue, aiming to better define strategies of detection and prevention.

Keywords: Hypothyroidism; Natrium/Iodide symporter; drinking and Food; endocrine disruptors; iodine; perchlorate; review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure A1
Figure A1
Simplified representation of perchlorate metabolism, distribution and iodide interference (specifically at the level of thyroid gland).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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