Effects of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic parameters, serum irisin and obesity values in women with subclinical hypothyroidism: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Dec 21:14:1306470. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1306470. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Purpose: Subclinical hypothyroidism is an early, mild form of hypothyroidism that may progress to overt hypothyroidism if untreated. The current study aimed to assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on hormonal (thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and free thyroxine) parameters, lipid profiles, serum irisin, and obesity indices in women with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Methods: The present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out on 44 women with subclinical hypothyroidism. The participants were allocated to two groups (22 patients in each group) that received vitamin D (50,000 IU/week) or placebo for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric and body composition measurements, physical activity levels, and dietary intakes were collected at baseline and at the end of the study.

Results: Vitamin D supplementation significantly decreased TSH, total cholesterol, and fat mass percentage, and significantly increased serum vitamin D and irisin levels and fat-free mass percentage compared to the control group (all, p<0.05). Changes in thyroid hormones, other lipid profiles, and anthropometric indices were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion: Our study indicates that vitamin D administration improves serum TSH, total cholesterol, irisin, and body composition in women with subclinical hypothyroidism. More well-designed clinical trials are required to confirm these findings and clarify the effects of vitamin D supplementation on both genders of patients.Clinical trial registration: https://www.irct.ir/trial/57482, Identifier IRCT20100408003664N25.

Keywords: TSH; Vitamin D; irisin; metabolic parameters; obesity; subclinical hypothyroidism.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cholesterol
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Fibronectins
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism* / complications
  • Hypothyroidism* / drug therapy
  • Lipids
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / drug therapy
  • Thyroid Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Thyrotropin
  • Thyroxine*
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Cholesterol
  • Fibronectins
  • Lipids
  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Thyrotropin
  • Thyroxine
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamins

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. The research protocol was approved and supported by the Research Vice-Chancellor and Nutrition Research Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran (Grant number: 67655).