From the Guidelines
The primary factors leading to endocrine disease include genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, lifestyle choices, autoimmune disorders, tumors, infections, aging, and certain medications, with environmental toxins like endocrine disruptors being a significant concern, as highlighted in a 2025 study 1. The factors leading to endocrine disease are multifaceted and can be categorized into several key areas.
- Genetic factors can make individuals more susceptible to endocrine disorders, such as in cases of familial thyroid disorders or diabetes, as noted in a 2015 study 1.
- Environmental toxins, like endocrine disruptors found in some plastics or pesticides, can interfere with hormone production and function, potentially leading to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as discussed in a 2002 study 1.
- Lifestyle choices, including poor diet, lack of exercise, and chronic stress, can significantly impact endocrine health, particularly in relation to diabetes and adrenal disorders.
- Autoimmune conditions, where the body's immune system attacks its own endocrine glands, are a common cause of disorders like Hashimoto's thyroiditis, as mentioned in a 2015 study 1.
- Tumors, whether benign or malignant, can affect endocrine glands and lead to hormone imbalances.
- Infections, particularly viral infections, can sometimes trigger endocrine dysfunction.
- The natural aging process can also lead to changes in hormone production and sensitivity.
- Lastly, certain medications, especially long-term use of corticosteroids, can disrupt the endocrine system, as highlighted in a 2015 review 1. Understanding these factors is crucial for prevention, early detection, and management of endocrine diseases, and recent studies, such as one from 2025 1, emphasize the importance of considering the impact of environmental contaminants on human reproductive health.
From the FDA Drug Label
Maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy is associated with a higher rate of complications, including spontaneous abortion, gestational hypertension, pre‑eclampsia, stillbirth, and premature delivery. Untreated maternal hypothyroidism may have an adverse effect on fetal neurocognitive development
The factors leading to endocrine disease that can be directly identified from the label are:
- Untreated hypothyroidism
- Untreated maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy 2
From the Research
Factors Leading to Endocrine Disease
The following factors have been identified as contributing to the development of endocrine disease:
- Environmental factors, such as exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, ionizing radiation, and other pollutants 3, 4
- Lifestyle factors, including diet, physical activity level, sleep patterns, and stress levels 5, 6, 7
- Genetic predisposition, which can interact with environmental and lifestyle factors to increase the risk of endocrine disease 6, 7
- Epigenetic modifications, which can be influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors and affect gene expression and disease risk 3, 4
Specific Factors
Some specific factors that have been linked to endocrine disease include:
- Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as phthalates and bisphenol A 3, 6
- Ionizing radiation, which has been linked to an increased risk of endocrine cancer 3
- Poor diet and physical inactivity, which can contribute to obesity and insulin resistance 5, 6
- Smoking and stress, which have been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and other endocrine disorders 5, 7
- Low birth weight and premature birth, which have been linked to an increased risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes 6
Interaction Between Factors
The interaction between genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors can play a crucial role in the development of endocrine disease. For example:
- Genetic predisposition can increase the risk of endocrine disease, but environmental and lifestyle factors can also contribute to this risk 6, 7
- Epigenetic modifications can be influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors, and can affect gene expression and disease risk 3, 4
- Lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical activity level, can interact with genetic susceptibility to increase the risk of endocrine disease 7