Introduction
In the recent years there is a huge increase in mobile phones usage throughout the world. The Electromagnetic Rays (EMR) induced by the Global system of Communication from mobile phones can have detrimental effects on Human health.1 This EMR’S are non-ionising in nature and cannot ionise molecules in our body these can affect thyroid gland metabolism as a part of its non thermal effects. Generally mobile phones are low power single channel two ways radios that emit signals through electromagnetic rays. As most of the physiological functions in our body is regulated by electric currents and the electromagnetic rays (EMR) emitted from the mobile phones may affect the physiological processes and associated health effects like sleep disorders, headaches, etc .When we discuss about the endocrine system the most exposed vital endocrine gland2 when compared to other endocrine glands such as pineal, pituitary, adrenal which can get affected by the electromagnetic rays is thyroid glands.3 An important endocrine glands that control body metabolism which is located in front of the neck and releases hormones into the bloodstream. They secretes thyroxine4 (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3), Calcitonin, to synthesize thyroid hormones, thyroid glands need Iodine too little or too can affect the level of hormones. Role of thyroid hormones is to control Body Metabolism, Temperature, Breathing, Heart Rate, Brain Development, Mental activity, Digestion, Fertility etc.
Materials and Methods
The present study shows alteration in TSH and thyroid hormones. The people who use mobile phones have elevated TSH, and decreased T4 and T3. This Study concluded that possible deleterious effects of mobile microwaves on Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Thyroid axis (HPT)5, 3 affects the level of these hormones. A study was done on the effect of electromagnetic radiation due to mobile phones use on thyroid function in medical students studying in medical college in south India.6 They explored for the association between radiation exposure and thyroid dysfunction among mobile phone users. Students who actively have mobile phones usage was considered under inclusion criteria. The students who have preexisting thyroid disease was excluded from the study. Statistical analysis has shown that 53% of students spent 0.5 hour on phone, 28% of students spent 1-2 hours on phone, 10% for 3-4 hours. Around 20-22% of students of the above came with significant results of thyroid disease either a thyroid swelling or a thyroid dysfunction. Study concluded that there is a significant correlation between total radiation exposure and increased TSH among students. But there was no consideration of family history of thyroid diseases under this study.
A study was done at diagnostics radiology department on mobile phone usage and risk of thyroid gland lesions detected by ultrasonography.7 There were 180 participants with 110 females and 70 males of age 15 - 65 years, USG examination of thyroid gland was done 5-9 MHz linear probe in B- mode and colour Doppler mode and analysed for size, echogenicity, vascularity of thyroid gland and any presence of any focal lesion, calcifications or abnormal lymph nodes was checked. Demographic analysis of study group showed 141 with mobile phone uses and 39 non users. when compared to males, female uses were found more. 36.7% use mobile phone for >5 hours daily and had noticed that 46.7% has abnormal thyroid gland functioning and 53% were normal.
A study investigated the effects of RFR emitted by global systems for mobile communications (GSM) mobile phones on serum thyroid hormone levels. In a medical college in South India, performed a cross-sectional study on 83 undergraduate students. Surveys questioned the types of cell phones used and their SAR values, along with the duration of usage. 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
Another cohort study was done using 82 volunteers divided into groups based on their RFR exposure8 duration and intensity. The source of RFR exposure was 950 MHz emitted from mobile phones. After a periodic follow-up for six years, blood results showed that those who had high and prolonged exposure to RFR suffered a significant (P<0.01) decrease in their T3 and T4 levels, indicating a possible thyroid dysfunction.
A cross-sectional study on 77 healthy university students. The results showed high TSH, low T4, and normal T3 concentrations in excessive mobile phone users, indicating a possible hypothyroid state and thyroid dysfunction directly proportional to the degree of RFR exposure duration and intensity. The study also concluded a possible harmful effect of cell phone RFR on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Based on the above findings, mobile phone radiation could negatively affect thyroid gland function and hormone production directly by disrupting the thyroid gland tissue or indirectly by disrupting the HPT axis.
The study on thyroid cancer, Genetic variation Mutations and Point Mutations9 are found positive for regular usage of cell phones,10 900 people was examined and provided evidence that genetic susceptibility with certain SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) in 4 genes found. It has a role in prolonged usage of cell phones, developing thyroid cancer.
Discussion
An important endocrine glands that control body metabolism which is located in front of the neck and releases hormones into the bloodstream. They secretes thyroxine4 (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3), Calcitonin, to synthesize thyroid hormones, thyroid glands3 need Iodine. Too little or too much iodine can affect the level of hormones. Role of thyroid hormones are to control body Metabolism, Temperature, Breathing, Heart Rate, Brain Development, Mental activity, Digestion, Fertility 1 etc. The use of mobile phones has widely increased over last two decades. Mobile phones produce a Radio frequency8 Electromagnetic fields (EMF) which is a form of non-ionising radiation. Thyroid gland is among the most susceptible gland to mobile phones electromagnetic radiations due to its superficial location which is in the anterior neck. Mobile phones use EMF’S with frequency ranging from 450-3800 Mhz.8 The EMF comprises both electric and magnetic fields as well. Several studies mentioned above investigated the effects of EMF’S emitted via global system for mobile communication (GSM) by mobile phones on serum thyroid hormone levels3 and results showed a significant association between EMF radiation exposure and increased TSH and low T3 & T4 levels indicating the prevalence of hypothyroidism in mobile phone users. Due to this non ionising radiations it is noted that there are some Histopathological changes in thyroid gland follicles leading to disruption of HPT axis8 resulting in thyroid hormone insufficiency and raised TSH levels. A study was done on the effect of electromagnetic radiation due to mobile phones use on thyroid function in medical students studying in medical college in south India.6 They explored for the association between radiation exposure and thyroid dysfunction among mobile phone users. Students who actively have mobile phones usage was considered under inclusion criteria. The students who have preexisting thyroid disease was excluded from the study. Statistical analysis has shown that 53% of students spent 0.5 hour on phone, 28% of students spent 1-2 hours on phone,10% for 3-4 hours. Around 20-22% of students of the above came with significant results of thyroid disease either a thyroid swelling or a thyroid dysfunction Hence it may be possible to have deleterious effect of mobile microwaves (electromagnetic radiations) on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid axis affecting S the level of these hormones.
Conclusion
As Mobile phones have become a daily necessity for every person. There are certain disadvantages of getting constant exposures of electromagnetic radiations.8, 1 The emitted rays through mobile phones are very harmful to the whole body to absorb non ionising radiations. The most crucial and superficial endocrine gland that is thyroid gland3 get much of its effected by disturbing its normal functions as it controls Metabolism,3 Heart rate, Breathing, Brain development, Mental activity, Fertility etc. The present study concluded there is a strong connection between mobile phones usage and thyroid dysfunction.
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