Thyroid gland affected by environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals: an update

Environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) may interfere with thyroid function by affecting the synthesis,release,transport,metabolism,and clearance of thyroid hormone as well as its receptor binding,etc.Thyroid hormones are essential for normal fctal brain development and for many aspects of normal adult physiology.This paper is to provide a brief overview of recent findings on thyroid disruptionly EDC.It would contribute to the development of new strategies against thyroid dysfuction. Key words: Endocrine disrupting chemicals ;  Thyroid gland ;  Autoimmunity ;  Pregnancy