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Low 25 (OH) vitamin D levels are associated with autoimmune thyroid disease in polycystic ovary syndrome

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Abstract

Low 25(OH) vitamin D levels have been associated with several autoimmune diseases and recently with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). The aim of the study was to investigate the association of AITD with 25(OH) vitamin D levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Fifty women with PCOS were consecutively enrolled and underwent routine health checkups, which included measurements of 25(OH) vitamin D, anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO-Ab), anti-thyreoglobulin (TG-Ab) antibodies, FT3, FT4, and TSH. Selecting 50 nmol/L as cut-off point, low 25(OH) vitamin D levels were detected in 23 of 50 patients (46 %). AITD was diagnosed when TPO-Ab levels exceeding 80 U/ml and/or TG-Ab levels exceeding 70 U/ml. AITD was detected in 12 of 50 patients (24 %). The levels of 25(OH) vitamin D were significantly lower in women with PCOS and AITD when compared with women with PCOS and without AITD (p = 0.02). In women with AITD no correlation was found between 25(OH) vitamin D and TG-Ab (r = 0.48; p = 0.16), TPO-Ab (r = 0.43; p = 0.21), TSH (r = 0.38; p = 0.27), FT3 (r = −0.40; p = 0.25) and FT4 levels (r = −0.54; p = 0.10). These findings suggest that low levels of 25(OH) vitamin D were significantly associated with AITD in women with PCOS.

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Author contribution

GM is the guarantor of the manuscript. GM and SP carried out the studies and drafted the manuscripts. MC and DT performed statistical analyses. AC participated in the design of the study. FO conceived the study, participated in its design and coordination.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, “Federico II” University of Naples, via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Giovanna Muscogiuri & Annamaria Colao

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Stefano Palomba

  3. SSD Odontoiatria AOU “S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona”, Salerno, Italy

    Mario Caggiano

  4. Department of Sports Science and Wellness, “Parthenope” University Naples, Naples, Italy

    Domenico Tafuri & Francesco Orio

  5. Endocrinology and Diabetology, Fertility Techniques Structure, University Hospital “S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona”, Largo Città d’Ippocrate, Salerno, Italy

    Francesco Orio

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  1. Giovanna Muscogiuri
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  2. Stefano Palomba
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  4. Domenico Tafuri
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  5. Annamaria Colao
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Correspondence to Giovanna Muscogiuri.

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Muscogiuri, G., Palomba, S., Caggiano, M. et al. Low 25 (OH) vitamin D levels are associated with autoimmune thyroid disease in polycystic ovary syndrome. Endocrine 53, 538–542 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-015-0745-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-015-0745-0

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