Vitamin D deficiency in thyroid autoimmune diseases

Abstract The role of vitamin D in the human body is a complex one, proven by the many studies performed related to this aspect. Data from the literature on the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and thyroid autoimmune pathology, although present and increasing in the last 10 years, have failed to establish exactly whether or not there is a link between them. The aim of the study was to assess the status of vitamin D in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease; and to determine if there is a correlation between parameters such as: thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), ATPO; and vitamin D levels. Therefore, we performed a retrospective study in which we included 60 patients, 32 with autoimmune thyroid pathology and 28 patients with negative antithyroid antibodies. The average age of those in the case group was 58 years old and 52 years old for the control group. Female sex was predominant in both groups of patients, 97% in the study group and 71% in the control group. Vitamin D values in patients with thyroid autoimmune pathology in our study were on average higher than those obtained in the control group (patients with negative thyroid antibodies), without finding a statistically significant difference between the values of the two groups of patients (p = 0.197). The study shows a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in both groups of patients (with or without autoimmune thyroid disease), the highest rate being observed among patients without autoimmune pathology, but without a statistically significant difference between values.