Preoperative vitamin D level as a post-total thyroidectomy hypocalcemia predictor: a prospective study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Complications
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Hypocalcemia is a frequent complication after total thyroidectomy.
• The role of preoperative vitamin D in predicting this complication remains unclear.
• This study investigates vitamin D's predictive capability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if preoperative vitamin D concentrations can predict hypocalcemia post-total thyroidectomy.
• To identify reliable predictors of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia.

Main Methods:

• Prospective evaluation of 47 total thyroidectomy patients.
• Measurement of serum 25(OH) vitamin D, calcium, and parathyroid hormone pre- and post-operatively.
• Classification of patients into hypocalcemia and non-hypocalcemia groups based on postoperative calcium levels.

Main Results:

• Over 72% of patients had altered preoperative vitamin D levels; 51% developed hypocalcemia.
• No significant difference in preoperative vitamin D between hypocalcemia groups.
• Postoperative parathyroid hormone, age, and malignancy diagnosis were predictors in univariate analysis; only postoperative PTH remained significant in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative vitamin D levels are not predictive of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia.
• Postoperative parathyroid hormone levels are significantly associated with the occurrence of hypocalcemia.