Thyroid hormones play a central role in regulating metabolism, growth, and neurodevelopment throughout the lifespan. Disruptions to thyroid function can have serious and long-lasting consequences, particularly during critical windows such as fetal development and early childhood. Increasing evidence suggests that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) - a diverse group of environmental compounds including bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, dioxins, PCBs, and certain pesticides - may interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis, metabolism, and signaling, contributing to a wide range of clinical and subclinical thyroid disorders.

This Research Topic aims to explore links between EDC exposure and thyroid dysfunction. It will provide a platform to examine the mechanisms by which EDCs alter thyroid hormone activity, the range of exposures relevant to different populations, and the current state of regulatory frameworks and risk assessment. By drawing together diverse research perspectives, from molecular and experimental models to epidemiological studies, this collection seeks to foster a multidisciplinary understanding of how chemical exposures in the environment impact thyroid health.

The goal is to support the development of evidence-based strategies for identifying at-risk populations, improving exposure monitoring, and informing public health interventions and regulatory policy. The collection will also encourage exploration of new tools and technologies, such as omics approaches and bioassays, that enhance the detection and characterization of thyroid-disrupting chemicals.

We welcome contributions on topics including, but not limited to:

• Mechanistic insights into how EDCs affect thyroid hormone biosynthesis, metabolism, and receptor activity

• Population studies linking EDC exposure to clinical or subclinical thyroid dysfunction

• Thyroid-specific outcomes of prenatal and early-life exposure to EDCs

• Thyroid-specific outcomes of exposure to EDCs in relationship with neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases, weight and metabolism, longitudinal growth, puberty and fertility

• Mixture effects and low-dose, chronic exposure challenges in thyroid risk assessment

• Advances in in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate thyroid-disrupting potential

• Interactions between EDC exposure and iodine deficiency or other thyroid risk factors

• Innovations in exposure assessment and biomonitoring tools

• Regulatory challenges and policy responses to EDCs with thyroid activity

• Sex-specific and developmental differences in thyroid susceptibility to chemical disruption

• Long-term health implications of altered thyroid function linked to environmental exposures

This collection will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers seeking to better understand and mitigate the health risks posed by endocrine disrupting chemicals in relation to thyroid function.

Systematic reviews, original articles, and narrative reviews are all welcome. Selected perspective articles highlighting future needs related with research, prevention, awareness and regulations may also be accepted. In vivo, in vitro, human studies, studies from toxicologists or chemists, including evaluation of laboratory methods from any field within medicine, are all welcome.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Impacts of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals on Thyroid Function: Emerging Research and Health Implications