The Serum Level of Vitamin D and Hypocalcemia in Thyroidectomy Candidate Patients Referred to a Tertiary Care Hospital in the North of Iran

Objective: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium metabolism through the Parathyroid hormone (PTH) dependent process. The deficiency of this important nutrient may be associated with hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy. To evaluate the role of vitamin D in predicting hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy. Results: : sixty-two patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for benign or malignant thyroid disease were included in this prospective study. Preoperative vitamin D serum levels and PTH levels were determined. The results of our study showed In both groups with and without vitamin D deficiency, calcium levels decreased significantly (P = 0.01). In our study, it was found that there was no significant relationship between postoperative hypocalcemia and vitamin D deficiency. (P = 0.441). After reviewing the data and according to Spearman correlation statistical test, no significant relationship was observed between serum PTH and calcium after thyroidectomy (P = 0.340).Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy for benign goiter. Although post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia is multifactorial, vitamin D deficiency, particularly severe form, is significantly associated with the development of biochemical and clinical hypocalcemia vitamin D supplementation can prevent this unwanted complication in such patients.