Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders at Tertiary Care Hospital, Karachi

Abstract

Background & Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is commonly observed in patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders, potentially influencing disease severity and management. This study aimed to ascertain the magnitude of vitamin D deficiency in those with autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITDs).

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, Karachi, Pakistan from February 2024 to June 2024. Patients who attended the outpatient department and were diagnosed with AITDs, such as autoimmune hypothyroidism and Grave's disease, based on positive anti-thyroid antibodies were included in the study. The 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in these patients were then measured.

Results:

The study had 60 participants, with a mean age of 35.23 ± 9.934 years. The majority of participants had low vitamin D levels (28.3% had insufficient and 48.3% had deficient levels). Additionally, it was discovered that vitamin D status and AITDs were related, where a majority of individuals had low vitamin D levels (P-value = 0.014). Further, it was revealed that anti-TPO antibodies followed by the presence of anti-TG antibodies were more indicative of low vitamin D levels.

Conclusion:

The individuals with AITDs, specifically hypothyroidism had a noticeably higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency followed by insufficiency.