Study on the association between trace elements and thyroid nodule in Guangxi, China

Abstract

Abstract In addition to genetic factors, environmental exposures are considered to be one of the most important factors affecting thyroid dysfunction in humans. And some trace elements and metal elements in patients often interact with related proteins and hormones, leading to thyroid dysfunction. This study investigated the relationship of selected elements on thyroid nodule in a population from Guangxi. Blood and urine collected from 96 participants (48 patients with thyroid nodules and 48 controls) were analyzed to determine the hormones in serum as well as the elements in urine using kits as well as inductively coupled mass spectrometry, respectively. The relationship between demographics, clinical characteristics and urinary levels of characteristic thyroid trace elements (T3, T4 and TSH) was investigated using Chi-square test, Pearson correlation analysis, independent sample T-test and Kruskal-Wallis test (K-W test). In the serum, T3/T4 and TSH were lower in the nodule group than in the control group, but there was a correlation between T3 and T4 and the elements in the nodule group. In urine, the concentrations of Cd and Sr were higher and the values of Se, Fe and V were lower in the urine of patients with thyroid nodules compared to controls, and there was a correlation between the various elements. This study showed a correlation between thyroid nodules and exposure to environmental elements, particularly among the various elements in the organism of patients with thyroid nodules.