Screening for Vitamin D, Calcium and Thyroid Hormone Serum Levels in Healthy Adult Libyan Females

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is becoming endemic in many parts of the world.Several studies demonstrated a relationship between vitamin D deficiency, hypocalcemia and thyroid disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the serum level of Vitamin D in healthy adult Libyan women and the status ofserum calcium and thyroid hormones. Serum vitamin D levels were measured in 174 healthy women who are classified in groups according to the age(Mean age 34±14 years). Our results revealed that vitamin D deficiency is very common among Libyan adult females because the mean of vitamin D was 13.4 ± 6.4 (n=174). Vitamin D deficiency was considered at serum levels lower than 20 ng/ml.In addition, we evaluated serum level ofcalcium and Thyroidfunction hormones (TSH, T3 and T4) in only60participants from 174 who are included in this study.It has been previously shown that individuals with low vitamin D levels have low thyroid functionbut our results here indicated that serum thyroid hormones and calcium analysis were lay within the normal rang in most of the participants. Therefore, we strongly recommend the screening for Vitamin D deficiency in all adult Libyan females and encourage the advisability of increasing vitamin D intake combined with following up its serum level to avoid over dose.