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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2017; 125(04): 229-233
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-123038
Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Effect of Vitamin D on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Levothyroxine-Treated Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Normal Vitamin D Status

Robert Krysiak
1   Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
,
Witold Szkróbka
1   Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
,
Bogusław Okopień
1   Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 30 August 2016
first decision 14 November 2016

accepted 02 December 2016

Publication Date:
10 January 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Low vitamin D status is associated with autoimmune thyroid disease. Oral vitamin D supplementation was found to reduce titers of thyroid antibodies in levothyroxine-treated women with postpartum thyroiditis and low vitamin D status.

Methods: The study included 34 women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and normal vitamin D status (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels above 30 ng/mL) who had been treated for at least 6 months with levothyroxine. On the basis of patient preference, women were divided into 2 groups, receiving (n=18) or not receiving (n=16) oral vitamin D preparations (2000 IU daily). Serum levels of thyrotropin, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine and 25-hydroxyvitamin D, as well as titers of thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies were measured at the beginning of the study and 6 months later.

Results: There were no significant differences in baseline values between both study groups. 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels inversely correlated with titers of thyroid antibodies. No changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis activity and thyroid antibody titers were observed in vitamin-naïve patients. Vitamin D increased serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, as well as reduced titers of thyroid antibodies. This effect was more pronounced for thyroid peroxidase than for thyroglobulin antibodies and correlated with their baseline titers.

Conclusions: Vitamin D preparations may reduce thyroid autoimmunity in levothyroxine-treated women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and normal vitamin D status.

Key words

25-hydroxyvitamin D - thyroid autoimmunity - levothyroxine replacement - vitamin D supplementation
 

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