Vitamin D deficiency and TSH level, a relationship in nonautoimmune hypothyroidism pediatrics

Abstract

Background and purpose: Vitamin D has a crucial role in the organs' function and is essential for specific populations like pediatrics. Indeed, the thyroid function correlates with the Vitamin D level in the body, so the consequences of this depletion are very important. In non-autoimmune hypothyroidism, the Vitamin D level influences the thyroid function which could be tracked with thyroid stimulating hormone. Design and methods: In this cross-sectional study, among 2,503 children aged three to 18 who were referred to the pediatrics endocrinology and metabolic clinic in Zanjan city in 2022-2023, 102 children with non-autoimmune hypothyroidism who did not have a history of other diseases or the use of drugs affecting thyroid function in last three months were selected and entered this study. Data were analyzed by IBM SPSS 24 using binary logistic regression. Results: The mean (standard deviation) vitamin D level in the study population was 27.66 (13.17) ng/ml, with a deficiency prevalence of 63.7%. The odds of vitamin D deficiency significantly increased 70 percent with one unit (mIU)/liter (L) increasing in TSH (OR=1.70, CI 95%:1.19-2.43, P= 0.003. However, weight, height, sex, age, body mass index, and season had no statistically significant relationship. Conclusions: The level of vitamin D and TSH level have a positive correlation in non-autoimmune hypothyroidism pediatric patients. Indeed, the correcting vitamin D deficiently reduces the TSH level. So, we can use vitamin D supplements along with other treatments in treating hypothyroidism.