Work-related factors affecting the thyroid hormone levels among workers in different sectors

Abstract

Aim: This study purposed to evaluate thyroid hormone levels and work-related factors in workers.
 Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was perfomed at 475 workers who applied to the outpatient clinic of occupational diseases between November 2015-February 2020. Sociodemographic variables, work-related factors and laboratory records were retrospectively evaluated. Student’s t-test was performed to compare mean values. Multiple linear regression analysis was used, including independent variables that were found to be statistically significantly related in binary analysis of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) value.
 Results: Of the 475 participants, 433 (91.2%) were male and 173 (36.4%) worked night shifts, 293 (61.7%) were exposed to silica dust, 23 (4.8%) to plastic fumes, and 80 (16.8%) to solvent. Study participants who were over 40 years of age, night shift workers, and workers with exposure to silica dust had significantly lower TSH values (p=0.026, p=0.023, p=0.002, respectively); male workers, workers under 40 years of age, and workers with body mass index (BMI)