Relationship between vitamin D status and metabolic parameters in premenopausal women with autoimmune hypothyroidism

The aim: Is to establish a relationship between serum vitamin D level with carbohydrate and lipid indexes in women with autoimmune hypothyroid disease. Materials and methods: 146 women with autoimmune hypothyroid disease were examined in the period 2017-2019, who signed the informed consent. The mean age of women was 43.8 ± 0.7 years. Anthropometric, general clinical and biochemical examinations were performed including determination of lipid metabolism, hydrocarbon metabolism and establishment of vitamin-D status. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was found in 78.8%, insufficiency in 17.1% of women with autoimmune hypothyroidism. Statistical processing of results was carried out and established strong negative correlation between 25 (OH) D and Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (r = -0,77) and thyrotropic hormone level (r = -0.72), р<0,05. Strong inverse correlations were found between vitamin D levels and body mass index (r=-0,74) and total cholesterol levels (r=-0,72), negative correlation of medium strength was with highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (r=-0,58), triglycerides (r=-0,46), atherogenic coefficient (r=-0,65) and the HOMA-IR (r=-0,57), The values of p < 0.05 were considered reliable. Conclusions: The incidence of vitamin D hypovitaminosis in women with autoimmune thyroid disease is significantly higher than in the healthy population. Low vitamin D status is significantly associated with autoimmune thyroid dysfunction and determines the degree of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk in premenopausal women with autoimmune hypothyroid disease.

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Knowledge and attitudes about vitamin D and sunlight exposure in premenopausal women living in Jeddah, and their relationship with serum vitamin D levels

Journal of Health Population and Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s41043-021-00263-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tahani A. Zareef ◽

Robert T. Jackson

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Premenopausal Women ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Sunlight Exposure ◽

Vitamin D Status ◽

Saudi Women ◽

Vitamin D Intake ◽

Insufficient Knowledge

Abstract Background Saudi women are at risk of vitamin D deficiency because they are fully covered by traditional clothing and because of their indoor lifestyle. The latest national study reported that vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) affects 72% of young Saudi women. Because little information is available regarding knowledge on vitamin D, attitudes toward sun exposure, and the vitamin D status of premenopausal women in Jeddah, more research is necessary in order to develop effective intervention programs. The purpose of this study is to explore how the relationship between knowledge of vitamin D and attitudes about sun exposure affect the serum 25(OH)D levels in premenopausal Saudi women. Methods This cross-sectional study included 257 women aged 20–50 years attending the primary care clinic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed questionnaires about socio-demographics, dietary vitamin D intake, attitudes toward sun exposure, and were tested on their knowledge of vitamin D. Serum 25(OH)D was evaluated using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Results Although 99% of participants had heard of vitamin D and 91% knew that sunlight exposure is a primary source of vitamin D, they also expressed the feeling of having insufficient knowledge regarding vitamin D sources. Furthermore, the majority of participants had negative attitudes toward sun exposure. High fish consumption was associated with a higher level of knowledge regarding vitamin D. The binary logistic regression indicated that low levels of knowledge about vitamin D were associated with low education levels (odds ratio = 0.397, 95% CI = [0.206, 0.765], p = 0.019) and with being married (odds ratio = 0.522, 95% CI = [0.281, 0.971], p = 0.04). In addition, spending time outside in the sun was significantly associated with increased serum 25(OH)D levels (p = 0.006), and the wearing of colored abaya was significantly associated with increased serum 25(OH)D levels (p = 0.008). Conclusion Suboptimal vitamin D status and insufficient knowledge of vitamin D intake sources are common in premenopausal women in Jeddah. Based on this data, health professionals could provide medical intervention to the most vulnerable female patients, as well as offer clear guidelines and information to the general public.

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