Is there a risk from Radon re Thyroid Function?

Hi everyone, I now live in a high radon area. We can't get our house tested until building work is completed. Is there much evidence radon is detrimental to thyroid function? I am wondering why my hypo symptoms are getting increasingly bad in 3 day blocks. I am in very cold temperatures for a big chunk of the day, plus I have the stress of waiting for quotes and trades not turning up etc etc

[helvella Administrator]

It is always going to be difficult to get a clear answer on issues like this.

However, there are only 23 papers in PubMed (index of medical/health published papers) which mention both "radon" and "thyroid". (You sometimes get nearly that many papers on "thyroid" alone in a single day!)

Of these, this one suggests extremely low probability:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

This one suggests some risk of thyroid cancer but it is an investigation of an area around the eastern Baltics which had Chernnobyl, nuclear testing, etc. as well as radon:

sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?...

I'd be looking at almost anything else than the effects of radon from the ground on thyroid. Especially as any effects would likely be cumulative over many years so a relatively recent move would not have had much chance of having a measurable effect.

Are you being exposed to dust? Building adhesives? Paints? And, indeed, the stressors you mention.

Oh! And there are a couple of papers suggesting that the effect of "radium health baths" and the like might actually help with thyroid issues. But clearly not of the highest order of scientific rigour.

Rod

[Katyanicole in reply to helvella]

Can u pls advice where can I read on thyroid and radium baths

[helvella Administrator in reply to Katyanicole]

You do realise that radium is an extremely dangerous radio-active element - and any exposure is to be avoided?

Things like radium health baths were promoted before there was any scientific understanding of the effects on life.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?te...

[Katyanicole in reply to helvella]

I go to the island of Ischia ones a year . Radium baths are still promoted in Europe. I am worried now

[helvella Administrator in reply to Katyanicole]

Don't worry - your exposure will be much lower than that of people who live there!

Have a read here:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Triciatextiles]

This is interesting - I had thought about this theory as since moving near to the sizewell B plant in Suffolk (although I live some miles away but can see it if I go to the beach) three years ago my husbands health has declined (although now improved since taking T3),I was diagnosed with hypo two years ago (no family members have this apart from me) and now my daughter has been diagnonsed (aged 15). it really does make me wonder if we should back to Essex!.

[Hidden in reply to Triciatextiles]

OH DEAR I MOVED TO SOMERSET JUST OVER 5 YEARS AGO TO A HIGH RADON GAS AREA, 2 YEARS LATER DIAGNOSED HYPO AUTOIMMUNE THYROID, WONDER IF THERE IS A CONNECTION!!!!

[Hidden]

Hello, thank you all for your helpful answers. I know the connection with lung cancer, but i'm still wondering about thyroid disease. Both my neighbours have underactive thyroid.

I am wondering about chemicals too. There has been paint and solvents in the house and i always get sore throats when they are used. Apart from the stress of living in a "project" i think the cold isn't helping at all. X