Vitamin D Deficiency may be a Risk Factor for Ophthalmopathy in Patients with Graves’ Hyperthyroidism But Not Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Abstract

Aims: Apart from its key role in bone metabolism vitamin D plays a role in immune function, cancer prevention and autoimmunity induction. Vitamin D insufficiency (25-50 nmol/L) and deficiency (serum level < 25 nmol/L) are very common in the West Sydney and Blue Mountains areas of Australia. Vitamin D deficiency may also play a role in the development of ophthalmopathy in patients with thyroid autoimmunity. Methods : We have studied a possible relationship between serum vitamin D level and