Low 25 Hydroxyvitamin D Levels are Independently Associated with Autoimmune Thyroiditis in a Cohort of Apparently Healthy Overweight and Obese Subjects.

Background: Low vitamin D levels have been associated with autoimmune disorders and, then, with the Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis (AT), the most common autoimmune disease. Obesity is characterized by lower vitamin D levels and higher risk to develop autoimmune diseases. The aim of the study was to examine the possibility of an association between AT and decreased 25(OH) vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in a cohort of otherwise healthy overweight and obese subjects.