The role of vitamin D for the management of depression in the Western Ukrainian population with autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism

Abstract

Background. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is known to be an essential endocrine disease that affects the population and may lead to hypothyroidism. This disease is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. Hypothyroid patients frequently experience signs of depression, which is prevalent among other symptoms in hypothyroidism. Data from recent research has proved that vitamin D deficiency may cause depression manifestations in the population. The aim of our work is to study the effect of cholecalciferol on the level of depression in the Western Ukrainian population with autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism. Materials and methods. The study included 56 patients with hypothyroidism caused by autoimmune thyroiditis. We identified the severity of depression levels using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Examinations were performed at the beginning and by the end of a 12-week treatment. Results. In patients of group 1 who received cholecalciferol and L-thyroxine, the level of depression on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale decreased by 40%, while in those who received only L-thyroxine, by 25%. In addition, there was a significant difference between patients in groups 1 and 2 after treatment (p=0.003). That is, additional cholecalciferol on the background of L-thyroxine was more effective than therapy with L-thyroxine alone. Analysis of the effect of treatment in group 1 with the additional administration of cholecalciferol on the background of L-thyroxine has shown that depression disappeared in 21.4% of patients. In addition, there was a decrease in depression in other participants from this group. Thus, in the remaining patients, the severity of depressive manifestations decreased from moderate to mild depressive disorder. At the same time, after treatment with L-thyroxine alone, depressive disorder of moderate severity decreased from 78.6 to 35.7%, but complete disappearance of depression in this group of patients after treatment was not observed. Conclusions. Vitamin D supplementation should be administered in patients suffering from autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism, which may correct depression disorders.