ESPE Abstracts

Background: The results of several studies suggest that vitamin D could possibly decrease the risk of autoimmune diseases.

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of the vitamin D in adolescents with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT).

Methods: The study included 32 adolescents (aged 12–17 years, mean age was 14.4±1.3 years) with HT (normal range TSH, fT₃, fT₄ and elevated antibodies). HT was diagnosed on the basis of thyroid peroxidase antibodies level and typical picture of thyroid ultrasound. Thyroid volume was estimated by using ultrasound (Medison Accuvix V20, Korea). We compared out thyroid volume results with recommended normal values established by WHO/ICCIDD. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 16.0, USA). Data are expressed as median. The part of the patients (group I, n=16) were treated with levothyroxine and vitamin D (400 IU/day) for a 6 months. Patients in the group II (n=14) were treated with only levothyroxine for a 6 months. Patients in the group III, control group (n=12) were not treated (only observation for a 6 months).

Results: Thyroid volume was enlarged more than 30% above normal volume (97th percentiles) in all patients in group I and II. After 6 months of therapy with levothyroxine and vitamin D, in the group I the antibody levels (from 877.5 to 511.5 mIU/ml) and thyroid volume (from 14.8 to 8.7 ml decreased significantly (P=0.044 and P=0.0089 respectively).

After 6 months of therapy with levothyroxine, in the group II the thyroid volume (from 15.3 to 10.8 ml) decreased significantly (P=0.01). Among the untreated group III (control group), the antibody levels remained the same in 100% patients and thyroid volume rise in 87% patients.

Conclusion: This study has shown that preventative vitamin D treatment in adolescents with Hashimoto’s disease reduced the markers of autoimmune thyroiditis.