Thyroid disruptors: PFAS

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

Those exposed to PFAS should monitor for symptoms indicative of 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

There have been scientific investigations into the effects of PFAS compounds on thyroid cells, which can lead to multiple types of disruptions. Chemicals like these reduce thyroperoxidase activity, an enzyme vital for thyroid hormone production. Furthermore, it inhibits sodium/iodide symporter activity and competitive mechanisms that interfere with iodine uptake by thyroid cells.

Animal studies reveal alarming effects on reproductive health and development. There is evidence that PFAS accumulate in the placenta during pregnancy, and that both conventional PFAS and newer alternatives like GenX reduced thyroid hormone levels in pregnant mice. Placental disruptions may affect fetal brain development during critical periods.

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

There are many serious health problems associated with exposure to PFAS, including thyroid disorders that may require lifelong medical treatment and may cause significant health complications. Medical expenses and related damages may be recoverable through legal action when toxic exposure contributes to thyroid disorders.

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.