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Bektas H, Bese Akgun BB, Cakir S, Dogu S, Ahnas B

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Authors not listed · 2025

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5G radiation at 3.5 GHz disrupted thyroid hormones in rats after one month of daily exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to 3.5 GHz 5G radiation (the frequency used by many carriers) for 2 hours daily over 30 days and found it disrupted thyroid hormone levels and increased cellular damage. The natural antioxidant quercetin showed some protective effects, though results were mixed.

Why This Matters

This study adds to mounting evidence that 5G frequencies can disrupt endocrine function, specifically targeting the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism, energy, and development. The 3.5 GHz frequency tested here is widely deployed by major carriers like Verizon and AT&T for their 5G networks. What makes this research particularly relevant is the exposure level - the SAR of 1.128 W/kg in thyroid tissue approaches levels you might experience during heavy smartphone use near your neck area.

The thyroid disruption observed here - decreased T3 and T4 hormones with elevated TSH - mirrors patterns seen in hypothyroidism. Given that thyroid disorders already affect millions of Americans, particularly women, these findings raise important questions about whether our rapid 5G deployment is occurring without adequate safety testing. The partial protection offered by quercetin suggests oxidative stress plays a key role, but we shouldn't need antioxidant supplements to protect us from our communication infrastructure.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 3.5 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 3.5 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2025). Bektas H, Bese Akgun BB, Cakir S, Dogu S, Ahnas B.
Show BibTeX
@article{bektas_h_bese_akgun_bb_cakir_s_dogu_s_ahnas_b_ce2315,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Bektas H, Bese Akgun BB, Cakir S, Dogu S, Ahnas B},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1080/15368378.2025.2528732},
  
}
DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2025.2528732PubMed: 40625224

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, this study found that 30 days of 3.5 GHz exposure significantly decreased T3 and T4 thyroid hormones while increasing TSH levels in rats, suggesting impaired thyroid function similar to hypothyroidism patterns.
SAR simulations showed the thyroid region absorbed an average of 1.128 W/kg of RF energy during 3.5 GHz exposure, which approaches levels that could occur with heavy smartphone use near the neck area.
Quercetin showed mixed protective effects in this study. While it trended toward reversing some hormone disruptions and oxidative stress markers, not all protective changes reached statistical significance, suggesting limited efficacy.
RF exposure increased harmful markers (MDA and TOS) while decreasing protective antioxidants (TAS and GSH) in thyroid tissue, indicating significant cellular stress and compromised antioxidant defenses in the thyroid gland.
Significant thyroid hormone disruption and oxidative stress occurred after just 30 days of exposure (2 hours daily, 5 days per week), suggesting relatively rapid onset of biological effects from 3.5 GHz radiation.