2023: Fluoride, thyroid & TSH levels, and dental fluorosis

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Vaidya A, Kaundal S, Ridhima, Chauhan A, Sharma A, Mangotra V - "A comparative study of fluoride ingestion levels, serum thyroid hormone & TSH level derangements, dental fluorosis status among school children from endemic and non-endemic fluorosis areas" International Journal of Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Pharma Research 12(3):1414-1417 (2023)
http://www.ijlbpr.com/uploadfiles/274vo ... 064217.pdf
(Ankur Sharma is the corresponding author)

ABSTRACT

Background: An investigation comparing fluoride ingestion levels, disruptions in serum thyroid hormone and TSH levels,
as well as the prevalence of dental fluorosis, was conducted among school children residing in regions affected and
unaffected by fluorosis.

Materials & Methods: The study included a total of 20 school children, with ages ranging from 9 to 16 years, selected from
both regions affected and unaffected by fluorosis. A separate Group 2 comprised 10 children from a non-endemic area,
functioning as the control group. The resulting data were subjected to analysis using SPSS software.

Results: The levels of thyroid hormones (FT3 & FT4) and TSH in bodily fluids were measured for both Group 1A and 1B,
as well as for the 10 children in Group 2. Among these measurements, the concentration of FT4 was found to be highest in
Group 1A, whereas the levels of TSH were notably elevated in Group 1B.

Conclusion: Children residing in endemic fluorosis areas who exhibit dental fluorosis might not necessarily develop thyroid diseases as a direct result of excessive fluoride consumption. However, they do display thyroid-related issues that can have significant health implications.

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COMMENT: Another highly questionable study conducted by a group of dentists in India. Only 20 children (total!) were investigated with ages ranging from 9 to 16 years. Results were not presented by age or sex, and no details pertaining to test methods were provided. Judging by the many grammatical and citation errors it appears that no peer review took place.