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The effect of vitamin D on thyroid autoimmunity in non-lactating women with postpartum thyroiditis

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 70, page 864 (2016)Cite this article

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We read with great interest the manuscript entitled 'The effect of vitamin D on thyroid autoimmunity in non-lactating women with postpartum thyroiditis'.1 Vitamin D supplementation may have an impact on postpartum thyroiditis. But we would like to comment on several aspects.

In postpartum thyroiditis, it cannot be excluded that thyroid autoantibodies spontaneously decreased with time and even sometimes return to euthyroid state within 12 months.2 The pattern of thyroid dysfunction and also antithyroid antibody levels may be variable. Three months may be too short to monitor the development of euthyroid state. We would like to learn if these patients have antithyroid peroxidase antibody levels in the first trimester of their pregnancy and if they have previous thyroiditis or family history. Type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases may also effect the course. Use of oestrogen contraceptives may effect vitamin D status. l-thyroxine treatment may also affect antithyroglobulin levels.3 Iodine status also may be different in the postpartum period in pregnant women compared with the general population. Also, selenium levels may affect antithyroid antibody levels.4 In addition, we would like to know if there is a correlation between delta vitamin D3 level change and delta antithyroid antibody titre change.

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References

  1. Krysiak R, Kowalcze K, Okopien B . The effect of vitamin D on thyroid autoimmunity in non-lactating women with postpartum thyroiditis. Eur J Clin Nutr 2016, e-pub ahead of print 13 January 2016 doi:10.1038/ejcn.2015.214.

  2. Samuels MH . Subacute, silent, and postpartum thyroiditis. Med Clin North Am 2012; 96: 223–233.

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  3. Rieu M, Richard A, Rosilio M, Laplanche S, Ropion V, Fombeur JP et al. Effects of thyroid status on thyroid autoimmunity expression in euthyroid and hypothyroid patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1994; 40: 529–535.

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  4. Mazokopakis EE, Papadakis JA, Papadomanolaki MG, Batistakis AG, Giannakopoulos TG, Protopapadakis EE et al. Effects of 12 months treatment with L-selenomethionine on serum anti-TPO levels in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Thyroid 2007; 17: 609–612.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    M Sahin & D Corapcioglu

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  1. M Sahin
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  2. D Corapcioglu
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Correspondence to M Sahin.

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Sahin, M., Corapcioglu, D. The effect of vitamin D on thyroid autoimmunity in non-lactating women with postpartum thyroiditis. Eur J Clin Nutr 70, 864 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2016.56

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