Vitamin D Levels and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Active Graves Disease and a Possible Role of Vitamin D for Ophtalmopathy

Objectives: This study investigated the role of vitamin D in Graves' disease and autoimmune thyroid disease and examined the relationship between vitamin D levels and thyroid ophthalmopathy, inflammation, body mass, and thyroid autoantibodies.
Methods: The study included 80 participants: 40 active Graves' disease patients before treatment, 20 patients with euthyroid autoimmune thyroid disease, and 20 healthy individuals. All Graves' disease patients were evaluated for ophthalmopathy. Measurements included 25(OH)D, high-sensitivity CRP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fibrinogen, and anthropometric assessments. Thyroid function tests and autoantibodies were evaluated in the autoimmune thyroid disease group.
Results: Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in Graves' disease and autoimmune thyroid disorder patients compared to healthy controls. Lower vitamin D correlated with higher thyroid receptor and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy had even lower vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with inflammation and higher body mass index.
Conclusion: Lower vitamin D levels were linked to Graves' disease, autoimmune thyroid disorders, and thyroid ophthalmopathy. Vitamin D deficiency was also associated with increased inflammation in these conditions, suggesting a potential role for vitamin D in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disorders, particularly thyroid ophthalmopathy.

Keywords: Autoimmune thyroid disease, Graves disease, inflammation, ophthalmopathy, vitamin D