Graves’ disease, Agent Orange exposure linked in veterans

Graves’ disease, Agent Orange exposure linked in veterans


PARIS — Exposure to Agent Orange, the defoliant used during the Vietnam War, appears to be an important predictor of Graves’ disease in veterans.

Results of a study presented here at the International Thyroid Congress showed that Vietnam War-era veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange have three times the prevalence of Graves’ disease compared with unexposed veterans (OR=3.102; 95% CI, 1.56-6.16).

The chemical structure of Agent Orange, which is contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), is similar to that of triiodothyronine and thyroxine. It is known to affect thyroid hormone and metabolism.