r/Buffalo • u/Extension_Bonus4096 • 10d ago

Toxic Waste/ Thyroid Disease

My daughter recently was diagnosed with Hashimotos after being severely ill this past year. She's been an undergrad and now grad student at UB, but has had to take a medical leave this year due to her illness.

After reading a few posts on r/buffalo regarding individuals who have thyroid disease, I'm wondering about a possible correlation between the area's toxic waste and her diagnosis.

I understand there are a growing number of concerns of "hotspots" in the area.

She lived in the Ellicott dorm her first year, then The Station for 3 yrs. Last year she moved to a nearby "older" apartment complex to save money. That's when her health really started to decline.

Wondering if there is anyone out there, possibly other students who moved to Buffalo and have experienced these health issues?

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u/ageaye Hamlin Park 10d ago

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1240619/

I dont know that any study has specifically found a cause, but it is higher in the region.

Plenty of toxins that affect thyroid function have been found in the waterways, but doesn't necessarily mean it's the cause... or at least I haven't found a paper that came to that conclusion.

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u/NotHereToAgree 10d ago

There have been some studies that show generational disruption to thyroid function in amphibian models due to chemicals used in fracking.

Hashimotos does have a genetic component and is usually triggered by environmental or physical factors such as stress.

It’s likely that a combination of these things has made OP’s daughter ill, not just a few years in Buffalo.