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Vitamin D deficiency affects thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction in iodine-replete area: Korea national health and nutrition examination survey

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Abstract

Purpose

We evaluated the effects of vitamin D levels and iodine intake on thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction in the Korean population.

Methods

In this nationwide population-based study, data were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI-1 and 2 (2013 and 2014), which was the first nationwide survey that measured both serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and urinary iodine concentrations (UICs) in Korea. A total of 4181 participants who underwent laboratory tests for thyroid function, serum 25(OH)D levels, and UICs were included.

Results

Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) positivity was more prevalent in the vitamin D deficient group (9.1%) than the vitamin D insufficient and sufficient groups (5.3% each; P = 0.016). The rate of TPOAb positivity was significantly higher in the iodine deficient group (P = 0.032). Thyroid dysfunction was significantly more prevalent in the iodine excessive group than in the other groups in total (P = 0.016) and TPOAb negative participants (P = 0.007). In the vitamin D deficient group, excessive iodine intake was significantly associated with high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in total and TPOAb negative participants (P = 0.021 and P = 0.033, respectively). In the vitamin D insufficient and sufficient groups, association between thyroid dysfunction and iodine intake disappeared in total and TPOAb negative participants.

Conclusions

This nationwide survey revealed a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and high prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction in participants with excessive iodine intake. Our findings might be helpful for elucidating the potential benefit of vitamin D supplements in TPOAb negative patients with excessive iodine intake.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant (No. 2017-749) from the Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Korea

    Mijin Kim, Eyun Song, Hye-Seon Oh, Suyeon Park, Min Ji Jeon, Won Gu Kim, Won Bae Kim, Young Kee Shong & Tae Yong Kim

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 03181, Korea

    Hyemi Kwon

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  1. Mijin Kim
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Correspondence to Tae Yong Kim.

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Kim, M., Song, E., Oh, HS. et al. Vitamin D deficiency affects thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction in iodine-replete area: Korea national health and nutrition examination survey. Endocrine 58, 332–339 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-017-1425-z

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