Thyroid disease refers to medical conditions that prevent the thyroid from producing the right amount of hormones. 1 in 8 women will develop thyroid disease during her lifetime, as women are five to eight times more likely to receive this diagnosis than men. While thyroid disease has many causes, a more obscure risk factor is toxic exposure, which most veterans experienced while they were stationed on contaminated military bases during active duty.
PFAS, a group of over 9,000 toxic chemicals, were found to have a strong connection with thyroid disease, as they are endocrine disruptors. This means that, once in the body, they can disrupt the hormone system, eventually leading to thyroid disease. Exposure to PFAS can have many detrimental effects on endocrine function, including the thyroid one. If you spent time at a contaminated military base and believe you have thyroid disease, these are the symptoms you should look out for:
While the role of PFAS as thyroid function disrupters is controversial, in vitro studies seem to confirm the impact of these chemicals on thyroid cells. Some of the PFAS' harmful effects on thyroid cells include accumulation, cytotoxicity, interference with iodine uptake, and genotoxicity. Exposure to organic solvents might also contribute to the development of thyroid disease. Specifically, formaldehyde, phenol, n-hexane, and chloroform have a connection with thyroid disease. Multiple studies have shown an increase in thyroid hormone levels in workers exposed to organic solvents, which can be compared to service members exposed on military bases.
Finally, if you intend to file a claim for thyroid disease as a veteran who was stationed at a military base with known contamination, it is important to know that only three diagnoses might deem you eligible, namely:
If you struggle with one of these diseases and were exposed to toxic agents on military bases, you are most likely entitled to financial compensation, so do not hesitate to contact our expert team to have your case evaluated. The process is simple and will mostly take place over the phone with minimal involvement on your part.
With over 35 years of experience in evaluating toxic exposure claims, our team has the necessary resources and knowledge to help you determine whether you are entitled to compensation. The only documents you will have to send in are your military records and your medical records. After a thorough assessment of your situation, you will know for sure if you are eligible to file a claim.
Veterans who are too ill to participate in the process can have a family member assist them, and our compassionate team will also strive to make it as easy as possible to navigate by taking care of the most demanding and challenging aspects. Eligible individuals will promptly be put in touch with a specialized attorney so they can have their claims filed as soon as possible.