Zinc and Copper Influence Thyroid Function
In May 2014, researchers reported that serum levels of zinc and copper affect levels of thyroid hormone. An estimated 20 million Americans are affected by a thyroid disease or disorder, according to the American Thyroid Association (ATA). Approximately one in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder at some time in her life.
Investigators analyzed data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the cycle 2011-2012. The researchers assessed serum selenium, zinc and copper and thyroid function including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free and total triiodothyronine (T3), free and total thyroxine (T4), and thyroglobulin (TGN), a protein involved in the production of thyroid hormones. The researchers also collected data including age, race/ethnicity, smoking and iodine sufficiency status and education.
The investigators showed that for males, zinc levels were associated with decreased levels of free and total T4, and copper was associated with increased levels of free and total T4. The researchers found that among females, levels of copper were associated with increased levels of total T3 and T4. The investigators also found that smoking was associated with lower TSH and zinc and higher TGN and copper in males and lower total T4 in females. Also, the researchers showed that males had about 5-10 percent higher levels of both selenium and zinc, but as much as 20 percent lower levels of copper than females.
Thus, the researchers determined that serum zinc and copper are associated with thyroid function and influenced by smoking status.
Reference:
Jain RB. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2014 May 1.
