title: Thyroid Hormone Indices in Computer Workers with Emphasis on the Role of Zinc Supplementation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the effects of computer monitor-emitted radiation on thyroid hormones and the possible protective role of zinc supplementation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included three groups. The first group (group B) consisted of 42 computer workers. This group was given Zinc supplementation in the form of one tablet daily for eight weeks. The second group (group A) comprised the same 42 computer workers after zinc supplementation. A group of 63 subjects whose job does not entail computer use was recruited as a control Group (Group C). All participants filled a questionnaire including detailed medical and occupational histories. They were subjected to full clinical examination. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and zinc levels were measured in all participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TSH, FT3, FT4 and zinc concentrations were decreased significantly in group B relative to group C. In group A, all tested parameters were improved when compared with group B. The obtained results revealed that radiation emitted from computers led to changes in TSH and thyroid hormones (FT3 and FT4) in the workers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improvement after supplementation suggests that zinc can ameliorate hazards of such radiation on thyroid hormone indices.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ahmed Ibrahim
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.affiliation: Environmental & Occupational Medicine Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Egypt.
authors.forename: Noha Mohamed
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Hegazy
authors.affiliation: Environmental & Occupational Medicine Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Egypt.
authors.forename: Khadiga Salah
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: Environmental & Occupational Medicine Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Egypt.
authors.forename: Heba
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mahdy-Abdallah
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hamdy A A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Hammouda
authors.affiliation: Environmental & Occupational Medicine Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Egypt.
authors.forename: Eman Essam
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Shaban
keywords: Electromagnetic field; FT3; FT4; TSH; Zinc; computer; thyroid hormones