Vitamin D Deficiency as a Contributing Factor in Hypothyroidism
Keywords:
Vitamin D deficiency, Thyroid dysfunction, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, Hypothyroidism, Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)Abstract
Vitamin D Deficiency is a major global health problem affecting over one billion people around the world. Recent evidence has shown that vitamin D plays a vital role not only in bone metabolism but also in the immune system and endocrine function. This study was conducted to find the association of vitamin D deficiency with hypothyroidism, and to see if there is any gender-based difference. An analytical study was carried out at AL-Hujaa Hospital in Karbala Between November and January. A total of 100 hypothyroidism patients (50 males and 50 females) were included in the study. Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and vitamin D3 were assayed by standard laboratory methods. Statistical analysis was done to check the correlations between the different variables. The results showed that females had higher and more variable TSH levels than males indicating more thyroid malfunction. Males, on the other hand, had lower mean vitamin D3 levels which might correspond to a higher prevalence of deficiency. There was a negative correlation between levels of TSH and of vitamin D3 in both groups. However, in females, this correlation was statistically significant (r = - 0.505, p = 0.002) and in males, it was not (r = -0.432, p = 0.095). These results indicate that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased levels of TSH, particularly in females, and therefore, it may be a possible indicator of the role of vitamin D in thyroid function. The association could be explained by many mechanisms at the immunological, molecular, and metabolic levels including the role of vitamin D in regulation of autoimmunity and hormone signaling pathways. In summary, vitamin D deficiency can be considered as a contributing factor in the development and progression of hypothyroidism, particularly in women. The detection and correction of vitamin D could prove beneficial as an add-on to standard thyroid hormone therapy in improving the outcome of patients.
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