Abstract
The use of mobile phones has widely increased over the last two decades. Mobile phones produce a radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF), a form of non-ionizing radiation. In contrast to the ionizing radiation proven to cause DNA damage, the harmful effects of non-ionizing radiation on the human body have not been discovered yet. The thyroid gland is among the most susceptible organs to mobile phone radiation due to its location in the anterior neck. Our purpose in this literature review is to explore the effects of the electromagnetic field (EMF), especially radiofrequency emitted from mobile phones, on thyroid hormones and thyroid gland histopathology. We searched PubMed and Google Scholar databases for relevant studies published after the year 2000, using the following keywords: ‘cell phones', ‘mobile phones', ‘telephones', ‘electromagnetic fields', ‘radiofrequency radiation', ‘microwaves', ‘thyroid gland', ‘thyroid hormones', and ‘thyroid cancer'. Our review revealed that mobile phone radiofrequency radiation (RFR) might be associated with thyroid gland insufficiency and alterations in serum thyroid hormone levels, with a possible disruption in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. The review also showed histopathological changes in the thyroid gland follicles after exposure of rats to non-ionizing radiation. The results were directly related to the amount and duration of exposure to EMF radiation. Further human studies exploring thyroid gland hormones, microscopic morphology, and thyroid cancer are highly recommended for future researches.
Highlights
Background'I do not doubt in my mind that, at present, the greatest polluting element in the earth’s environment is the proliferation of electromagnetic fields (EMFs),' said Dr Robert O
Our purpose in this literature review is to explore the effects of the electromagnetic field (EMF), especially radiofrequency emitted from mobile phones, on thyroid hormones and thyroid gland histopathology
This article aimed to explore the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) and extremely low frequency-EMFs (ELF-EMF) on the thyroid gland hormones and histopathology
Summary
'I do not doubt in my mind that, at present, the greatest polluting element in the earth’s environment is the proliferation of electromagnetic fields (EMFs),' said Dr Robert O. The results showed a significant association between the total amount of radiation exposure and increased serum TSH levels, indicating a possible hypothyroid state in excessive mobile phone users [9] Another cohort study was done by Eskander et al (2012) using 82 volunteers divided into groups based on their RFR exposure duration and intensity [13]. Serum T4 concentrations decreased significantly in the groups exposed to cell phone radiation for three and six hours per day only (not in the group exposed for one hour per day), indicating an inhibitory effect on the thyroid hormones proportional to EMF exposure duration [21].
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