Roghayeh Molani-Gol, Maryam Rafraf, Majid Mobasseri, Sara Safari, Mahsa Malekian, Mohammad Asghari-Jafarabadi
Journal: Frontiers in endocrinology 2024;14():1306470
PMID: 38179303
Hypothyroidism, characterised by insufficient hormone production, can manifest as either overt or subclinical forms, with the latter affecting 4–20% of adults and often linked to autoimmune factors. Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to potentially improve thyroid function and metabolic parameters in individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic parameters, serum irisin [hormone mainly synthesised by skeletal muscle and fat tissue] levels, and obesity values in women diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism. This research is a double-blind randomised controlled trial involving 60 women with subclinical hypothyroidism. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin D supplementation or a placebo for 12 weeks. Results showed that vitamin D administration at a dose of 50,000 IU/week for 12 weeks decreases serum TSH and TC levels and elevates irisin levels in women with subclinical hypothyroidism without significantly affecting other lipid profile parameters. Moreover, vitamin D supplementation improved body composition in these patients. Authors concluded that the consumption of vitamin D might be a helpful approach to control subclinical hypothyroidism in women.
PURPOSE
Subclinical hypothyroidism is an early, mild form of hypothyroidism that may progress to overt hypothyroidism if untreated. The current study aimed to assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on hormonal (thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and free thyroxine) parameters, lipid profiles, serum irisin, and obesity indices in women with subclinical hypothyroidism.
METHODS
The present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out on 44 women with subclinical hypothyroidism. The participants were allocated to two groups (22 patients in each group) that received vitamin D (50,000 IU/week) or placebo for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric and body composition measurements, physical activity levels, and dietary intakes were collected at baseline and at the end of the study.
RESULTS
Vitamin D supplementation significantly decreased TSH, total cholesterol, and fat mass percentage, and significantly increased serum vitamin D and irisin levels and fat-free mass percentage compared to the control group (all, p<0.05). Changes in thyroid hormones, other lipid profiles, and anthropometric indices were not significantly different between the groups.
CONCLUSION
Our study indicates that vitamin D administration improves serum TSH, total cholesterol, irisin, and body composition in women with subclinical hypothyroidism. More well-designed clinical trials are required to confirm these findings and clarify the effects of vitamin D supplementation on both genders of patients. https://www.irct.ir/trial/57482, Identifier IRCT20100408003664N25.
Copyright © 2023 Safari, Rafraf, Malekian, Molani-Gol, Asghari-Jafarabadi and Mobasseri.
© Copyright 2026, Nutrition Evidence
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