Top Ten Thyroid Stories of 2006

By Mary Shomon, About.com Guide

Updated December 20, 2006

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We've seen conflicting reports for years about perchlorate. While some groups warned about exposure, other experts keep telling us that perchlorate levels in our food and water supply just aren't high enough to worry about this toxin's effects on the thyroid and health. Now, it's clear that the fears were actually justified. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released findings that show that as many as 44 million American women -- and especially women with low iodine intake, and women who are pregnant-- are at risk of hypothyroidism due to exposure to perchlorate. And it's not just high exposure that poses a risk -- it's everyday, common levels we can all easily be exposed to...just by eating and drinking! What can you do about the dangers of perchlorate?