Associations between Dynamic Vitamin D Level and Thyroid Function during Pregnancy

Abstract

Optimal Vitamin D (VitD) status and thyroid function are essential for pregnant women. This study aimed to explore associations between dynamic VitD status and thyroid function parameters in each trimester and throughout the pregnancy period. Information on all 8828 eligible participants was extracted from the Peking University Retrospective Birth Cohort in Tongzhou. Dynamic VitD status was represented as a combination of deficiency/sufficiency in the first and second trimesters. Thyroid function was assessed in three trimesters. The associations between VitD and thyroid function were assessed by multiple linear regression and generalized estimating equation models in each trimester and throughout the pregnancy period, respectively. The results indicated that both free thyroxine (fT4; β = 0.004; 95%CI: 0.003, 0.006; p < 0.001) and free triiodothyronine (fT3; β = 0.009; 95%CI: 0.004, 0.015; p = 0.001) had positive associations with VitD status in the first trimester. A VitD status that was sufficient in the first trimester and deficient in the second trimester had a lower TSH (β = −0.370; 95%CI: −0.710, −0.031; p = 0.033) compared with the group with sufficient VitD for both first and second trimesters. In conclusion, the associations between VitD and thyroid parameters existed throughout the pregnancy. Maintaining an adequate concentration of VitD is critical to support optimal thyroid function during pregnancy.

Thyroid dysfunction during gestation and gestational diabetes mellitus: a complex relationship

“…On the contrary, other retrospective studies found no association between vitamin D levels and thyroid function parameters throughout gestation [ 87 , 88 ]. Another study showed a direct linear association between vitamin D serum levels and circulating thyroid hormones, although the association was not seen in the second and third trimester [ 89 ]. The postulated mechanism underlying the possible association between thyroid function and Vitamin D levels could be due to the presence of 1,25(OH)D receptors on anterior pituitary [ 90 ] and thyroid cells [ 91 ], but also to its well-known immune-modulating effect [ 92 , 93 ].…”