Nicotine, the Thyroid and Hashimoto's: The Research

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1. Research at a Glance
2. The Papers
3. PubMed Topic Searches
4. More Nicotine Research
5. Connections
6. Featured Videos

Research at a Glance

What kind of study each paper on this page is, and when the papers were published. Hover over a bar for its count.

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The Papers (17)

Newest first. Study types on this page — Human trial: 1 · Human observational study: 1 · Review: 9 · Animal study: 4 · Cell study: 2. Each summary is written from the paper’s own abstract; follow the PubMed link for the full record.

Nicotine exposure during breastfeeding alters the expression of endocannabinoid system biomarkers in female but not in male offspring at adulthood

Animal study, 2023. Lactating rats were given nicotine or saline for two weeks after giving birth, and their offspring's body tissues were examined as adults. In female offspring only, nicotine exposure during this nursing period changed levels of several endocannabinoid system proteins in the liver, fat tissue, adrenal gland and thyroid, while male offspring and brain markers in both sexes were unaffected.

Miranda RA, Rodrigues VST, Peixoto TC et al. (2023). Nicotine exposure during breastfeeding alters the expression of endocannabinoid system biomarkers in female but not in male offspring at adulthood. J Dev Orig Health Dis. — PubMed PMID: 36815400 · doi:10.1017/S2040174423000028

Nicotine binds to the transthyretin-thyroxine complex and reduces its uptake by placental trophoblasts

Cell study, 2022. Researchers studied human placental cells in the lab to see how nicotine affects a protein called transthyretin, which carries thyroid hormone (T4) from mother to baby. They found nicotine blocked the cells from taking up the transthyretin-T4 complex, partly by reducing a receptor the cells use for this uptake, and computer modeling showed nicotine binding makes the transthyretin-T4 complex more stable and harder for cells to absorb. The authors suggest this could be one way nicotine exposure during pregnancy interferes with thyroid hormone delivery to the developing fetus, which may contribute to known harms of smoking on fetal growth and pregnancy.

Young MJ, Tang M, Richard DJ et al. (2022). Nicotine binds to the transthyretin-thyroxine complex and reduces its uptake by placental trophoblasts. Mol Cell Endocrinol. — PubMed PMID: 35395343 · doi:10.1016/j.mce.2022.111642

Cigarette Smoking and Estrogen-Related Cancer

Review, 2021. This review looks at why cigarette smoking, despite causing many cancers, is linked to lower risk of four estrogen-related cancers: endometrial cancer, two types of ovarian cancer, and thyroid cancer. It examines possible biological explanations, including effects on estrogen receptor signaling, and notes that for thyroid cancer, an anti-inflammatory effect of nicotine and lower TSH levels from smoking have been suggested but are not well supported by evidence.

Baron JA, Nichols HB, Anderson C et al. (2021). Cigarette Smoking and Estrogen-Related Cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. — PubMed PMID: 33990391 · doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-20-1803

Thyroid hormones reduce nicotinic receptor mediated currents in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

Cell study, 2020. Researchers tested how thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) affect nicotine's action on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in human neuroblastoma cells grown in the lab. Using a technique that measures electrical currents in cells, both thyroid hormones reduced the current triggered by nicotine, with the effect getting stronger as nicotine concentration increased (up to about 90% reduction at the higher nicotine dose tested). The hormones worked by making the receptor desensitize more, and a similar reduction was seen with acetylcholine, the body's natural signal for this receptor.

Puia G, Ravazzini F (2020). Thyroid hormones reduce nicotinic receptor mediated currents in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Pharmacol Rep. — PubMed PMID: 33085069 · doi:10.1007/s43440-020-00170-7

Characterization of Fetal Thyroid Levels at Delivery among Appalachian Infants

Human observational study, 2020. Researchers studied 130 pregnant women from the Appalachian Tri-State region and measured thyroid hormone levels in umbilical cord blood at delivery. They found that nicotine levels did not show a significant effect on fetal thyroid hormone levels, though cotinine (a nicotine breakdown product) was associated with changes in T4 levels.

Crank MN, Cottrell JN, Mitchell BL et al. (2020). Characterization of Fetal Thyroid Levels at Delivery among Appalachian Infants. J Clin Med. — PubMed PMID: 32971885 · doi:10.3390/jcm9093056

Tobacco and Nicotine Cessation During Pregnancy: ACOG Committee Opinion Summary, Number 807

Review, 2020. This is a medical guideline summary for clinicians about helping pregnant women stop using tobacco and nicotine products. It lists risks of smoking during pregnancy (growth problems, placenta issues, preterm rupture of membranes, low birth weight, higher infant death risk, and lower maternal thyroid function), and notes about 54% of women who smoked before pregnancy quit around the time of pregnancy, with the biggest benefit from quitting before 15 weeks. It also flags that e-cigarettes, hookahs and cigars are increasingly used alongside cigarettes and recommends counseling and medication support for quitting.

(2020). Tobacco and Nicotine Cessation During Pregnancy: ACOG Committee Opinion Summary, Number 807. Obstet Gynecol. — PubMed PMID: 32332411 · doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003825

Causes of Preanalytical Interferences on Laboratory Immunoassays - A Critical Review

Review, 2020. This review looks at things that can throw off blood test results before the sample even reaches analysis, such as a patient's age, sex, stress, time of day, and substances in the blood sample. It notes that nicotine and cocaine addiction can interfere with the measurement of some hormones, among many other listed interference sources like hemolysis and certain blood-collection tube additives.

Caruso B, Bovo C, Guidi GC (2020). Causes of Preanalytical Interferences on Laboratory Immunoassays - A Critical Review. EJIFCC. — PubMed PMID: 32256291

Palmoplantar pustulosis: Factors causing and influencing the course of the disease

Review, 2020. This is a review article about palmoplantar pustulosis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition causing painful lesions on the hands and feet, most often in middle-aged women. The review discusses genetic, immunological and environmental factors behind the disease, and notes that clinical observations link nicotine and contact allergens to the development of the skin lesions, alongside connections to certain medications, other conditions like seronegative arthropathies, celiac disease and thyroid disease, bacterial infections, and stress.

Putra-Szczepaniak M, Maj J, Jankowska-Konsur A et al. (2020). Palmoplantar pustulosis: Factors causing and influencing the course of the disease. Adv Clin Exp Med. — PubMed PMID: 31990461 · doi:10.17219/acem/112613

Efficacy and safety of radioiodine therapy for mild Graves ophthalmopathy depending on cigarette consumption: a 6‑month follow‑up

Human trial, 2016. This study followed 106 people with mild Graves' eye disease (58 smokers, 48 nonsmokers) who received radioactive iodine treatment for their thyroid. Smoking status was measured objectively using urinary cotinine (a nicotine breakdown product). Six months later, 46.2% of smokers had their eye disease worsen from mild to moderate, compared to only 4.3% of nonsmokers, and smokers also showed different patterns in thyroid antibody levels after treatment.

Czarnywojtek A, Komar-Rychlicka K, Zgorzalewicz-Stachowiak M et al. (2016). Efficacy and safety of radioiodine therapy for mild Graves ophthalmopathy depending on cigarette consumption: a 6‑month follow‑up. Pol Arch Med Wewn. — PubMed PMID: 27534827 · doi:10.20452/pamw.3505

Behavioral and thyroid effects of in utero and lactational exposure of Sprague-Dawley rats to the polybrominated diphenyl ether mixture DE71

Animal study, 2015. Pregnant and nursing rats were given different doses of a flame-retardant chemical mixture (DE71) to see how it affected their pups' thyroid levels and behavior, tracked from early life up to old age. The chemical lowered thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) in both mothers and babies, with babies more sensitive, but did not affect learning, memory, motor skills or anxiety. One behavior test used nicotine to stimulate movement as a way of checking the brain's acetylcholine-receptor sensitivity, and this nicotine-triggered response was not changed by the chemical exposure.

Bowers WJ, Wall PM, Nakai JS et al. (2015). Behavioral and thyroid effects of in utero and lactational exposure of Sprague-Dawley rats to the polybrominated diphenyl ether mixture DE71. Neurotoxicol Teratol. — PubMed PMID: 26271887 · doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2015.08.002

Effects of maternal nicotine exposure on thyroid hormone metabolism and function in adult rat progeny

Animal study, 2015. In this rat study, nursing mother rats were given nicotine (6 mg/kg per day through an implanted pump) or saline from day 2 to day 16 after giving birth, and their offspring were examined as adults at 180 days. Offspring exposed to nicotine through nursing had signs of low thyroid function in the liver, muscle, brown fat, heart and testis, along with lower levels of the brain and pituitary hormones that drive the thyroid (TRH and TSH) and a weaker pituitary response to TRH. The authors conclude that this adult hypothyroidism was partly caused by suppression of the TRH-TSH signal, while the brain, pituitary and thyroid appeared to adapt to keep thyroid hormone activation steady in those central tissues. These results are in rats only.

Lisboa PC, de Oliveira E, Manhães AC et al. (2015). Effects of maternal nicotine exposure on thyroid hormone metabolism and function in adult rat progeny. J Endocrinol. — PubMed PMID: 25653393 · doi:10.1530/JOE-14-0473

Smoking and thyroid

Review, 2013. This review article looks at how smoking affects the thyroid, drawing on population studies. It reports that smoking is linked to lower TSH, a bit higher thyroid hormone levels, larger thyroid size and more nontoxic goiter in iodine-deficient areas, a lower risk of thyroid cancer, and a lower risk of developing thyroid antibodies and autoimmune underactive thyroid (effects that go away within three years of quitting). An animal study of autoimmune thyroiditis suggested nicotine's anti-inflammatory action may be involved in that protective effect. In contrast, smoking increases the risk of Graves' hyperthyroidism and Graves' eye disease, with worse treatment outcomes and more recurrence.

Wiersinga WM (2013). Smoking and thyroid. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). — PubMed PMID: 23581474 · doi:10.1111/cen.12222

Obesity and endocrine dysfunction programmed by maternal smoking in pregnancy and lactation

Review, 2012. This review looked at animal studies (mostly rodents) examining how smoking or nicotine exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding affects offspring later in life. It reports that nicotine exposure during lactation was linked to higher leptin levels in newborn rodents, which was followed by leptin and insulin resistance and thyroid and adrenal gland dysfunction once the offspring reached adulthood.

Lisboa PC, de Oliveira E, de Moura EG (2012). Obesity and endocrine dysfunction programmed by maternal smoking in pregnancy and lactation. Front Physiol. — PubMed PMID: 23181022 · doi:10.3389/fphys.2012.00437

Anatabine ameliorates experimental autoimmune thyroiditis

Animal study, 2012. Mice with an autoimmune thyroid disease model (induced thyroiditis) were given anatabine, a tobacco alkaloid, in their drinking water and compared to mice drinking plain water. Anatabine reduced how often and how severely the mice developed thyroid inflammation, lowered thyroid antibody levels, and improved thyroid function recovery. In lab-dish tests, anatabine also reduced inflammatory protein production by immune cells in a dose-dependent way.

Caturegli P, De Remigis A, Ferlito M et al. (2012). Anatabine ameliorates experimental autoimmune thyroiditis. Endocrinology. — PubMed PMID: 22807490 · doi:10.1210/en.2012-1452

Smoking and thyroid diseases--what is new?

Review, 2010. This review article discusses how cigarette smoking affects the thyroid gland, including increased risk and severity of autoimmune thyroid disorders such as Graves' ophthalmopathy and Hashimoto's disease. It attributes these effects mainly to nicotine's pharmacological action, along with toxins like thiocyanate, and also covers effects of passive smoking on children, smoking during pregnancy on the fetus, and a protective effect of cigarette smoke against thyroid cancer.

Czarnywojtek A, Kurdybacha P, Florek E et al. (2010). Smoking and thyroid diseases--what is new?. Przegl Lek. — PubMed PMID: 21355496

Smoking and thyroid disease--review of literature

Review, 2009. This review article looks at how smoking affects the thyroid gland, focusing mostly on nicotine's pharmacological effects along with other smoke toxins like thiocyanate. It reports that smoking is linked to a higher risk and severity of autoimmune thyroid conditions, especially Graves' disease and Graves' eye disease, and also discusses effects on children exposed to secondhand smoke and on fetuses. The review also notes smoking appears to have a protective effect against thyroid cancer.

Czarnywojtek A, Warmuz-Stangierska I, Zdanowska J et al. (2009). Smoking and thyroid disease--review of literature. Przegl Lek. — PubMed PMID: 20301960

Smoking and hormones in health and endocrine disorders

Review, 2005. This review article discusses how smoking affects hormone systems, noting that its effects are mainly driven by nicotine along with other toxins like thiocyanate. It covers effects on the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, testes, ovaries, calcium balance, and insulin action, with clinical effects including a higher risk of Graves' hyperthyroidism and eye disease, osteoporosis, reduced fertility, insulin resistance leading to type 2 diabetes, and effects on the fetus such as disturbed thyroid development and reduced blood flow to the placenta from increased catecholamine production.

Kapoor D, Jones TH (2005). Smoking and hormones in health and endocrine disorders. Eur J Endocrinol. — PubMed PMID: 15817903 · doi:10.1530/eje.1.01867

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PubMed Topic Searches

1. PubMed: Thyroid and Hashimoto's and nicotine (the search this page is built from)

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Connections

• Autoimmunity: When Defence Turns on You — interactive animation
• How Your Thyroid Is Controlled — interactive animation
• Nicotine: The Research
• Dr. Bryan Ardis on this subject — his claims, presented on their own pages and kept separate from this research collection
• The Nicotine Patch, animated
• Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
• Cigarette Smoke — what burnt tobacco adds that nicotine alone does not
• Brain and Memory
• Mood and Mental Health
• Inflammation and Immunity
• Cancer Research
• Heart and Blood Vessels
• Metabolism and Weight
• Addiction and Withdrawal
• Patches, Gum and Delivery

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