High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Japanese female patients with Graves' disease

We reported previously that vitamin D deficiency is a causal mechanism of p ostoperative tetany in patients with Graves' disease. The aim of the presen t study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency by reviewin g serum 25(OH)D levels in 208 patients with Graves' disease (146 women, 62 men) during a 1 year period. Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in female Graves' patients (31.8 +/- 13.3 nmol/l) than in male patients (41.3 +/- 15.0 nmol/l). Vitamin D deficiency (defined as a serum 2 5(OH)D value below 25 nmol/l) was found in 40% of female patients and in 18 % of male patients (p < 0.005). There was a significant seasonal variation in the 25(OH)D concentrations in female patients [amplitude 6.38 (95% CI, 5 .42-7.56)], with values below 25 nmol/l found in 58% of female patients dur ing the winter months. There were significant (p < 0.001) differences in se rum 25(OH)D levels between age groups in the female patients. The concentra tions were lowest in patients in their twenties (25.1 +/- 8.2 nmol/l) and h ighest in patients in their fifties and sixties (43.2 +/- 13.7 nmol/l). Ser um 25(OH)D concentrations might be monitored in patients with Graves' disea se during antithyroid drug therapy, and vitamin D and/or calcium supplement s are recommended for patients with vitamin D deficiency.