High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Japanese Female Patients with Graves' Disease

摘要

We reported previously that vitamin D deficiency is a causal mechanism of postoperative tetany in patients with Graves' disease. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency by reviewing 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 25(OH)D value below 25 nmol/l) was found in 40% of female patients and in 18% of male patients (p<0.005).