Assessment of thyroid gland hormones and ultrasonographic abnormalities in medical staff occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation

Sanaa A El-Benhawy; Enayat I Fahmy; Sherien M Mahdy; Galal H Khedr; Alyaa S Sarhan; Mohamed H Nafady; Yousef A Yousef Selim; Tarek M Salem; Nehal Abu-Samra; Hany A El Khadry

doi:10.1186/s12902-022-01196-z

Assessment of thyroid gland hormones and ultrasonographic abnormalities in medical staff occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation

BMC Endocr Disord. 2022 Nov 21;22(1):287. doi: 10.1186/s12902-022-01196-z.

Affiliations

¹ Radiation Sciences Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
² Nuclear Medicine and thyroid gland Department, Naser Institute for Research and Treatment, Nasr City, Egypt.
³ Radiology and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Misr University for Science & Technology, Giza, Egypt.
⁴ Radiology and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of 6 October, Giza, Egypt.
⁵ Department of Internal Medicine, (Endocrinology Unit), Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
⁶ Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Pharos University, Alexandria, Egypt. nehal_chemistry2005@yahoo.com.
⁷ Applied Medical Chemistry Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Ionizing radiation (IR) is high-energy radiation that has the potential to displace electrons from atoms and break chemical bonds. It has the ability to introduce mutations, DNA strand breakage, and cell death. Being a radiosensitive organ, exposure of the thyroid gland to IR can lead to significant changes in its function.

Aim of the work: Was to measure the levels of thyroid hormones panel and ultrasonography abnormalities in medical staff occupationally exposed to IR.

Subjects and methods: A total of 120 subjects were divided into three main groups: Group I: radiation-exposed workers occupationally exposed to radioiodine (131I) (n = 40), Group II: radiation-exposed workers occupationally exposed to X-ray (n = 40), and Group III: non-exposed healthy professionals matched in age and sex with the previous groups (n = 40). Thyroid hormones panel including free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPO), and thyroglobulin (Tg) were measured. Thyroid ultrasonography was performed. Oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured.

Results: Group I had significantly higher fT3 levels than the control group. fT3 levels were considerably higher, while TSH was substantially lower in group II participants than in the control group. Tg was markedly lower in radiation-exposed workers. However, anti-TPO levels in radiation-exposed workers were significantly higher than in the control group. MDA and H₂O₂ were substantially higher; TAC was significantly lower in radiation-exposed workers compared to the control group. According to ultrasonographic examination, thyroid volume and the percentage of thyroid nodules in all radiation workers were significantly higher than in the control group.

Conclusion: Despite low exposure doses, occupational exposure to IR affects the thyroid hormones and links with a higher likelihood of developing thyroid immune diseases.

Keywords: Ionizing radiation; Radioiodine; Thyroid gland; Ultrasound; X-ray.

MeSH terms

Humans
Hydrogen Peroxide
Iodine Radioisotopes*
Medical Staff
Radiation, Ionizing
Thyroid Hormones
Thyroid Nodule*
Thyrotropin

Substances

Iodine-131
Iodine Radioisotopes
Hydrogen Peroxide
Thyroid Hormones
Thyrotropin