Micronutrient status in adolescents with autoimmune thyroiditis: a case-control study

Objective: Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is the most common thyroid disorder in adolescents, with genetic and environmental factors contributing to its pathogenesis. The role of micronutrients in AIT remains a topic of controversy. This study aims to evaluate the levels of iodine, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin E, magnesium, and vitamin B12 in adolescents diagnosed with AIT compared to healthy controls. Methods: A case-control study was conducted from September 2022 to September 2023, including 37 adolescents with newly diagnosed AIT and 36 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum levels of thyroid hormones, thyroid autoantibodies (anti-thyroid peroxidase [TPO] and anti-thyroglobulin [Tg]), and micronutrient levels were assessed. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the groups and to evaluate correlations between thyroid autoantibody levels and micronutrients. Results: All patients had elevated thyroid autoantibody levels, with a median of 135.5 IU/mL for anti-Tg and 535 IU/mL for anti-TPO. No significant differences were observed in urinary iodine, selenium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin E, or vitamin B12 levels between the groups. Correlation analysis revealed no significant associations between thyroid autoantibodies and micronutrient levels (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that iodine, selenium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin B12 levels are not significantly altered in adolescents with AIT. These micronutrients alone may not serve as reliable biomarkers for the diagnosis or progression of AIT. Further research is needed to elucidate the potential role of micronutrient supplementation in the management of AIT.