Top Thyroid-Harming Toxins: What You Need to Know

The average woman applies 168 chemical ingredients to her body daily, thanks to personal care products such as cosmetics, shampoo and conditioner, moisturizing cream, toothpaste, deodorant, and body wash. This number doesn’t even take into account the hundreds of toxins we’re exposed to each day through the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the cleaning products we use, and the homes where we live. How scary is that?

Even more terrifying is how many of the everyday toxins we’re exposed to can disrupt our immune system and thyroid function. Environmental toxins such as mercury, perchlorate, and fluoride can all harm the thyroid gland and endocrine system — and make us more susceptible to developing Hashimoto’s disease. We’ll take a closer look at these thyroid-harming toxins in the sections below.

Mercury and Perchlorate

If you’ve read my blog post on dental issues and Hashimoto’s, you already know that heavy metals such as mercury are harmful to the thyroid gland and that having dental amalgams can be a trigger for autoimmune thyroid disease. However, mercury isn’t only found in silver dental fillings: you can also find it in larger varieties of fish (e.g tilefish, king mackerel, and ahi tuna); pesticides; certain cosmetic products; some vaccines; and in your air, water, and soil. Other thyroid-harming heavy metals include aluminum, lead, manganese, and cadmium.

In The Thyroid Connection, Dr. Amy Myers discusses the dangers of mercury toxicity and how mercury exposure impairs thyroid function and increases a woman’s risk of developing an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s. Exposure to perchlorate, another toxic chemical, has also been linked to reduced thyroid function in women.

Along with being found in fireworks, some fertilizers, and rocket fuel, perchlorate is present in our groundwater, milk, agricultural irrigation systems, and the non-organic fruits and vegetables we consume. The solution? Eat organic foods whenever possible, especially when buying foods on the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG’s) Dirty Dozen List.

What’s more, mercury and perchlorate are just two thyroid-harming toxins resembling iodine — a mineral aiding in the production of T3 and T4 hormones. This resemblance causes the body to absorb mercury and perchlorate in place of iodine, which can be problematic for those with hypothyroidism.

A Word on Iodine and Hashimoto’s Disease

Many wellness professionals agree that some iodine is necessary for good thyroid health, but excess amounts of iodine can be toxic for those of us with Hashimoto’s. For optimal immune system and thyroid function, Dr. Izabella Wentz recommends aiming for a daily iodine intake of about 52 mcg; amounts higher than this could be harmful to those with autoimmune thyroid disease. Thyroid medications already contain small amounts of iodine, so those with iodine-induced Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may benefit from limiting their intake of iodine-rich foods and supplements.

Fluoride, Chlorine, Bromine

Like mercury and perchlorate, other chemicals resembling iodine include fluoride, chlorine, and bromine. These halogens are easily absorbed by the thyroid, leaving little space left over for the absorption and storage of iodine. They also disrupt the endocrine system and contribute to the development of Hashimoto’s disease, especially among those with a family history of autoimmune thyroiditis.

Fluoride is often found in our water, food, and dental products, while chlorine is used to make household cleaners, paper products, and plastic containers. It’s also found in our water supply. Bromine can be found in plastic products, water, upholstery, flours, baked goods (including gluten-free items), and pesticides.

Other Toxins to Steer Clear Of

Unfortunately, there are so many other thyroid-harming toxins found in our cosmetics, household cleaners, cooking utensils, food products, and living environments. A few of them include:

Nitrates in processed foods.
Bisphenol A (or BPA).
Triclosan.
Xenoestrogens (e.g. BPA, soy, parabens, and phthalates).
Radiation.
Lithium.

To reduce your exposure to thyroid-harming toxins, be sure to buy clean products whenever possible and do what you can to detox your home. The EWG’s Consumer Guides are an excellent resource for purchasing thyroid-friendly products, and you can even download the EWG’s Healthy Living app to your smartphone so you can find non-toxic foods, personal care products, and household cleaners whenever and wherever you shop. You can always make your own non-toxic cleaners as well!

Gluten, Dairy, and Soy

Unless you’re already following the Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet to a T, you’re probably being exposed to gluten, dairy, and soy on a regular basis. Many of us with autoimmune thyroid disease and hypothyroidism are sensitive to foods containing gluten, dairy, and soy, leading to increased intestinal permeability (or leaky gut). Sugar, caffeine, and grains can also trigger thyroid symptoms in some individuals. Read my blog post to learn more about nutrition and thyroid health.

Mold and Mycotoxins

As if the above-mentioned toxins weren’t enough to worry about, there’s another threat we need to be aware of as Hashimoto’s warriors: mold and mycotoxins. This is a big one for those of us who’ve tried everything else to no avail — like switching to non-toxic products and eliminating gluten and dairy from our diets — as mold toxicity can keep us from putting Hashimoto’s into remission and finally getting our lives back. And though it’s true that mold is found nearly everywhere, only about 25 percent of the population is genetically susceptible to mold illness.

To determine whether mold could be triggering your Hashimoto’s symptoms, start by testing your home and body for mold and mycotoxins. Dr. Fox recommends the following tests for detecting the presence of mold in the body:

MycoTOX Profile (Great Plains Laboratory)
Clinical Test Panel (RealTime Laboratories)
GI Effects Gastrointestinal Function Comprehensive Profile (must be ordered through a physician or online through Direct Labs)

If your test results reveal that you’re being exposed to mold and mycotoxins, there are a couple of options for testing your home, vehicle, and workplace. We Inspect is one great resource, or you could start by ordering an ERMI dust kit from EnviroBiomics.

What’s a Hashimoto’s Warrior to Do in a Toxin-Filled World?

We’re exposed to numerous thyroid-harming toxins each and every day of our lives, and unfortunately, it’s impossible to avoid them completely. However, taking steps to detoxify our bodies and reduce our exposure to environmental toxins such as mold and mercury can help to protect our immune function and thyroid health. Book your free Discovery Call today, and together we’ll take steps to reduce your toxic load, improve your energy levels, and get you back to living the joy-filled life you deserve!

Ready to reduce your toxic load and start healing from Hashimoto’s and thyroid disease? Book your free 15-minute Discovery Call for the Thyroid Reset Method™ and learn about the Doctor-Coach Model to begin your journey to healthy, non-toxic living.