Firstly, when exposed to coal dust for long periods of time, the body adjusts cortisol, thyroid hormone and insulin levels for protective adaptive regulation, and when endocrine gland function reserves are depleted and the body's ability to adapt decreases, coal miners are prone to develop pneumoconiosis (25) and consequently Nodular thyroid disease with abnormal thyroid hormones. The gene discussed is TG; the disease is pneumoconiosis.