Could a series of annual chest xrays from age 1 through 16 have contributed to hypothyroidism at age 25?

Question

Could a series of annual chest xrays from age 1 through 16 have contributed to hypothyroidism at age 25?

Answer 1

If you wanted to get really theoretical, ten chest x-rays, living in Denver, and having more substantial sources of exposure to radiation could possibly cause thyroid cancer, and the subsequent treatment for the cancer could leave you hypothyroid. That's a bit more of a stretch than I'm generally willing to consider, but there you go.

Answer 2

exposure to Iodine-131(used in diagnostic imaging) can increase the risk, but thats the only thing i see so for as links to radiation sources

Answer 3

He'd be more likely to develop such a pathology from annual airplane trips from LaGuardia Airport to Hawaii annually.  Iodine 131 is not employed in radiography.  Physicians and Physicists go to great lengths to ensure your safety and wouldn't perform such tests if they weren't indicated.

In short, with greater than 99% certainty, no.

Answer 4

I seriously doubt it. Mainly because the radiation is very quickly out of your system, and since you're getting the chest x-rays annually, there is a long length of time between, plus, you are now 25 (great age by the way), which means that this is nine years after the last chest x-ray.

It all sounds a bit coincidental to me. I think that the chest x-rays have contributed a lot to the hypothyroidism.