Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT981

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between heavy metal levels and various endocrinological parameters in individuals from heavy metal exposure.

Methods: The basic biochemical and endocrinological laboratory parameters and heavy metal levels (arsenic, lead, mercury, manganese, cadmium, zinc, chromium, antimony, nickel, cobalt, selenium, copper, lithium, molybdenum, thallium, and selenium) of 34, 595 individuals whose heavy metal levels were measured were reviewed in this study.

Results: The average age of the participants was 42 years, and 54. 4% of them were male. The rates of thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and prediabetes in individuals involved in occupations associated with a high risk of heavy metal exposure were 14. 3%, 12. 8%, and 21. 4% respectively. The results indicated higher fasting blood glucose levels in individuals with toxic arsenic levels, lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in those with toxic cadmium levels, lower HDL and low-density lipoprotein levels in those with toxic manganese levels, and higher liver enzyme and triglyceride levels in those with toxic zinc levels.

Conclusions: An increased prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was observed in younger individuals involved in occupations associated with a high risk of heavy metal exposure, even when the heavy metal levels were not toxic. Furthermore, there were indications of potential heavy metal toxicity-related liver pathologies as well as glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in younger individuals. The most rational approach to prevent and reduce these adverse effects is to limit the duration and amount of heavy metal exposure across the entire population, starting from the occupational groups at risk.

Keywords: Endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, heavy metal exposure, occupational diseases