Since their invention, there has been incessant speculation about how cell phones and the radiation they emit affect the brain. Various studies have pointed to a potential link between mobile phone use and brain tumors, both malignant and benign. Cautious consumers have heeded their warning, but the veracity of these claims have not been proven. Just as many long-term, peer-reviewed studies have shown non-ionizing radiation to be harmless as harmful. But new research has found clear evidence that an essential organ other than the brain may be vulnerable to cell phone use: the thyroid gland.
While a thick layer of skull helps to defend the brain against radiation even when your phone is pressed against your temple, your thyroid rests at the base of your neck just under the Adam's apple, protected by little more than some muscle and skin. For this reason, several clinical studies have been conducted to explore the effects of cell phone radiation on the thyroid.
In one study of healthy university students in 2009, the researchers found that heavy users of mobile phones had significantly lower levels of T3 and T4 and higher levels of TSH, trademark signs of hypothyroidism. Even moderate users of mobile phones experienced thyroid hormone disruption compared to individuals who did not have phones.
Another clinical study conducted in 2017 found similar results. Individuals who were exposed to cell phone radiation for longer periods of time, on average, exhibited higher than normal levels of TSH, indicative of hypothyroidism. This was true for both healthy individuals, as well as those who had a history of thyroid illness.
Non-ionizing radiation, like that emitted from cell phones and electronic devices, has been shown time and time again to have no impact on the structure or function of DNA, unlike UV rays and x-rays which have been proven to directly damage this genetic material. This has perplexed researchers who continue to see health implications from them. However, in the case of hypothyroidism as caused by cell phone radiation, scientists have found an explanation that does not involve damage to DNA.
More than 7 separate studies found that cell phone microwaves negatively affected iodine uptake and reduced the volume of thyroid gland follicles, which are responsible for the production and secretion of T3 and T4. For this reason, using wired headphones or speakerphone to talk on your phone are essential to keep your thyroid hormone levels balanced.
