Posted on June 19th, 2025
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging as significant threats to thyroid health, with mounting evidence that they can disrupt normal thyroid function. The widespread use of PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) on military bases since the 1970s poses a particular risk to military personnel and their families.
Groundwater and soil around bases are contaminated with these persistent chemicals, posing long-term exposure risks to service members and their families.
Thyroid hormones control critical functions, including metabolism, brain development, and growth throughout life. For military families, PFAS exposure is especially concerning because thyroid disruption during pregnancy and childhood can cause lasting developmental problems, making early detection and monitoring essential for affected veterans and their dependents.
Recognizing thyroid dysfunction symptoms
Individuals with known PFAS exposure should monitor for symptoms that may indicate thyroid dysfunction:
- Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Persistent fatigue and weakness
- Hair loss or thinning
- Cold intolerance and feeling unusually cold
- Depression or mood changes
- Memory problems and difficulty concentrating
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Muscle weakness and joint pain
- Dry skin and brittle nails
Research confirms PFAS interference with thyroid function
Research demonstrates that PFAS compounds accumulate in thyroid cells and cause multiple forms of disruption. Laboratory studies show these chemicals reduce the activity of thyroperoxidase, an enzyme essential for thyroid hormone production. PFAS also interfere with iodine uptake by thyroid cells through competitive mechanisms and direct inhibition of the sodium/iodide symporter.
Animal studies reveal alarming effects on reproductive health and development. PFAS accumulate in placentas during pregnancy,?with studies showing reduced circulating thyroid hormone levels in pregnant mice exposed to both traditional PFAS and newer alternatives like GenX. These placental disruptions potentially affect fetal brain development during critical neurodevelopmental windows.
Both long-chain PFAS, like PFOS and PFOA, and their newer replacements demonstrate thyroid-disrupting properties. Zebrafish studies reveal that chronic PFOS exposure alters thyroid follicular cell structure and causes significant damage to cellular organelles, including mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum.
Certain communities face elevated risk from PFAS contamination
PFAS contamination affects widespread populations through multiple exposure sources. Certain groups face elevated risks:
- Military personnel stationed at bases where AFFF was used
- Family members of military personnel who lived with them at contaminated bases
- People living near military installations where PFAS contamination has been identified
- Firefighters and emergency responders who trained with or used legacy PFAS-based suppression agents
Pursuing compensation for PFAS-related thyroid disorders
Exposure to PFAS can cause thyroid disorders that require lifelong medical treatment. Monetary compensation may be able to pay for medical expenses, ongoing treatment costs, and related damages when toxic exposure contributes to thyroid conditions.
ELG Law has extensive experience with environmental toxic exposure cases and offers free case evaluations. Our team reviews your medical and service records to see if contamination on military bases where you lived or served may be responsible for your thyroid condition. Veterans will need to retrieve their military records to file a claim, and family members of personnel stationed at contaminated military bases can also pursue compensation if they have a diagnosis and proof of residence.
