Study Links Exposure to Environmental Chemicals and Thyroid Problems in Women with Fertility Problems

A study led by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that the presence of phenol biomarkers in urine was associated with changes in thyroid hormone levels among women seeking fertility care. Their results are published in the journal Toxics.

Phenol chemicals are endocrine disrupting hormones. They are found in everyday items like toys, sunscreen, dental products, food packaging, and food preservatives. Previous studies have evaluated these individual chemicals and their effects on the thyroid. However, the combined impact of these multiple phenols on the endocrine system, particularly in relation to female fertility, is not yet fully understood.