Some thyroid news out of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists annual meeting in Boston. Apparently, veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange are three times more likely to develop the autoimmune thyroid disease known as Graves' disease, which typically causes hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid. Agent Orange is the name that was given to a dioxin-based herbicide that was used by the U.S. military during the war in Vietnam. Apaprently, Agent Orange exposure does not appear to trigger an increase in any other type of thyroid condition, such as thyroid cancer or nodules. But another interesting finding: apparently, the prevalence of hypothyroidism in those exposed to Agent Orange is actually lower.
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Source:
Varanasi, Ajay MD, et. al. "Abstract #1046: Are Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange More Likely to Get Graves' Disease?" American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Conference 2010 Abstracts (PDF)
AACE: Agent Orange Ups Some Thyroid Risks -- MedPage Today
Do the findings address the offspring of vets who were exposed to Agent Orange?
I am a 39 year old female that was diagnosed hyperthyroid graves disease 8 years ago, my father was exposed to agent irange and is now and has been suffering fron diabetes and geart failure, i was conceived after hus return if the exposure and there are no reportef thyroid conditiins in my family except for me, i cant help but wonder uf there is a link, any info anyine has, u woukd be interested ib hearing
Told I had hyperthyroid 10 years after returning from VN. Treated with radio active idodine..now have hypo and on medication. Will the VA ever recognize this as due to agent orange?
I would like to know the answer to this question also. I served 2.5 tours in VN and had hyerthyroid 12 years after returning. I also was treated with radio active idodine and now have to take medication because doctor killed my thyroid.