Nickel as a potential disruptor of thyroid function: benchmark modelling of human data

[helvella]

Nickel is used in many ways - plating of things like door and cabinet furniture, in making margarine (used a finely divided nickel catalyst - but spreads are not now made in this way), most stainless steel, coinage, silver plating (electro-plated nickel silver - EPNS), many special alloys, elements of electric heaters, in some magnets, and batteries.

Thus we get the "nickel" coin in the USA - actually cupro-nickel with 25% nickel and (ironically) the dime (8.33% nickel). Which is even more ironic when we consider the widespread use of steel in UK coinage.

In other words, it is everywhere. And difficult to totally avoid.

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023; 14: 1145153.

Published online 2023 Sep 20. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1145153

PMCID: PMC10549921

PMID: 37800147

Nickel as a potential disruptor of thyroid function: benchmark modelling of human data

Djurdjica Maric, 1 , † Katarina Baralic, 1 , † Dragana Javorac, 1 Stefan Mandic-Rajcevic, 2 Milos Zarkovic, 3 Biljana Antonijevic, 1 Danijela Djukic-Cosic, 1 Zorica Bulat, 1 and Aleksandra Buha Djordjevic corresponding author 1 , *

Abstract

Introduction

Nickel (Ni) is one of the well-known toxic metals found in the environment. However, its influence on thyroid function is not explored enough. Hence, the aim of this study was to analyse the potential of Ni to disrupt thyroid function by exploring the relationship between blood Ni concentration and serum hormone levels (TSH, T4, T3, fT4 and fT3), as well as the parameters of thyroid homeostasis (SPINA-GT and SPINA-GD) by using correlation analysis and Benchmark (BMD) concept.

Methods

Ni concentration was measured by ICP-MS method, while CLIA was used for serum hormone determination. SPINA Thyr software was used to calculate SPINA-GT and SPINA-GD parameters. BMD analysis was performed by PROAST software (70.1). The limitations of this study are the small sample size and the uneven distribution of healthy and unhealthy subjects, limited confounding factors, as well as the age of the subjects that could have influenced the obtained results.

Results and discussion

The highest median value for blood Ni concentration was observed for the male population and amounted 8,278 µg/L. Accordingly, the statistically significant correlation was observed only in the male population, for Ni-fT4 and Ni-SPINA-GT pairs. The existence of a dose-response relationship was established between Ni and all the measured parameters of thyroid functions in entire population and in both sexes. However, the narrowest BMD intervals were obtained only in men, for Ni - SPINA-GT pair (1.36-60.9 µg/L) and Ni - fT3 pair (0.397-66.8 µg/L), indicating that even 78.68 and 83.25% of men in our study might be in 10% higher risk of Ni-induced SPINA-GT and fT3 alterations, respectively. Due to the relationship established between Ni and the SPINA-GT parameter, it can be concluded that Ni has an influence on the secretory function of the thyroid gland in men. Although the further research is required, these findings suggest possible role of Ni in thyroid function disturbances.

Keywords: dose-response analysis, BMD modeling, toxic metals, endocrine disruptors, thyroid hormone level

Open Access to full paper:

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

[Jazzw]

You’ve reminded me of something I’d forgotten, Helvella. I have a nickel allergy—not sure how widely it’s used in jewellery and watch straps any more but as a child I’d come up in welts if I ever tried to wear my Timex watch (yep, showing my age).

But the other thing that’s interesting - wheat flour is high in nickel. We very often advise people to go gluten free. What if it isn’t the lack of gluten that helps but the lack of nickel instead?

[Jumbelina in reply to Jazzw]

Years ago I used to wear a Swatch watch- until I realised the horrible itching and sogginess of the skin of my wrist underneath the watch must be caused by the watch battery- most likely nickel. Later I developed Hashimoto's and my digestion became intolerant of wheat so I had to stop eating it ( I can't eat it for long enough for a coeliac test to have any meaning)

[Regenallotment in reply to Jazzw]

Me too, backs of jeans buttons give me hives, cheap jewellery weeping sores, more as a child. Haven’t worn a watch for 25 years till I got a second hand old apple one. Had nickel stirrups years ago and if my jodhpurs rode up it would get a rash. They were rubbish, all bendy 🤣

[Zephyrbear]

Like so many here, I too have a nickel allergy which I discovered through the cheap jewellery of the 70s, especially things like rings and bracelets. Anything that came into contact with my skin would cause red, angry and very itchy welts within hours… I had to have the big leather watch straps that came between my skin and the watch itself. I didn’t get my ears pierced until I was into my 30s and I couldn’t wear anything other than silver or gold. I have an Apple watch now which doesn’t seem to cause me any problems.

I didn’t know about the nickel content in wheat flour and I don’t think I’ve ever had trouble with either gluten or the flour, but then again, I don’t eat much bread anyway and I make my own.

[LindaC]

Thank you for this, helvella - in 1972.ish I was diagnosed with a nickel allergy and it was just reconfirmed in Oct 2023! I'll read this with much interest. xox

[thyr01d]

Thank you Helvella, this is so interesting. I also have that reaction to watches and jewellery other than gold that others have mentioned. If our reaction is internal though, we wouldn't know I presume. I wonder: is nickel used in taps? If so, are we taking it in when drinking water? Is it in kettles?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to thyr01d]

You can get nickel plated taps. And some chrome plated taps might have a layer of nickel underneath. And light switches.

This article is twenty years old - but seems to still apply though most (all?) now have elements on their bases.

Electric kettles may damage your health, scientists warn

theguardian.com/society/200...

Note: Those who filter their water first might be exposing themselves to the greatest risk.

Which won't be popular.

And I'd question whether immersion heaters would have the same effect (if anyone can afford to use them!)

[Jazzw in reply to helvella]

Oh wow.

Living is deadly, isn’t it?

I think I might be doomed.

[thyr01d]

Thanks again, very interesting.