Abstract

Objective: To investigate vitamin D status in children with Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Subjects and methods: The study group consisted of 78 children recently diagnosed as Hashimoto thyroiditis and 74 subjects as the control group. Parameters of calcium metabolism, thyroid function tests, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured.

Results: Vitamin D deficiency rate was significantly higher in the Hashimoto group compared with the control subjects (73.1% vs. 17.6%, p<0.0001). In the Hashimoto group, mean 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower compared with the control group (31.2±11.5 vs. 57.9±19.7 nmol/L, p<0.001) and was inversely correlated with the anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) levels (r=–0.30, p=0.007).

Conclusion: The higher vitamin D deficiency rates besides lower vitamin D levels in the Hashimoto group together with the inverse correlation between vitamin D and anti-TPO suggest that vitamin D deficiency may have a role in the autoimmune process in Hashimoto thyroiditis in children.