Potential link between vaping and hypothyroidism: A case report

Background: Vaping has gained popularity as an alternative to traditional smoking, but its potential health effects, particularly on endocrine function, remain under-explored. This case report highlights a possible association between vaping and the development of subclinical hypothyroidism in a young adult female.
Case Presentation: A 25-year-old female with a history of vaping for 30 minutes daily over the course of one year presented with symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, and dry skin. Initial thyroid function tests showed elevated TSH (5.08 uIU/mL), reduced T3 (64 ng/dL), and T4 (4.8 ug/dL), consistent with subclinical hypothyroidism. After discontinuing or reducing vaping, repeat thyroid function tests revealed an improvement in thyroid hormone levels (TSH: 4.69 uIU/mL, T3: 136.4 ng/dL, T4: 5.77 ug/dL) and symptom relief. The use of a vaping device with a lithium-ion battery raised concerns about possible lithium exposure, a known factor in thyroid dysfunction.
Conclusion: This case suggests a potential reversible association between vaping and subclinical hypothyroidism, possibly exacerbated by lithium toxicity from battery leakage. Further research is necessary to understand the mechanisms behind vaping-related thyroid dysfunction and the potential role of lithium in this process.