In July 2019 researchers from Denmark published the results of their study to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on pulse wave velocity and blood pressure in individuals with Graves’ disease. Increased pulse wave velocity and blood pressure are predictors of cardiovascular disease and the risk of cardiovascular disease is increased in individuals with Graves’ disease. A total of 86 individuals newly diagnosed with Graves’ disease were included in the study, with 44 receiving vitamin D supplementation of 70 µg/day and 42 a placebo. At the start of the study and at 3 and 9 months, pulse wave velocity and blood pressure levels were assessed both in the hospital and in a 24-hour setting. In addition, vitamin D levels were also analysed. It should be noted that those individuals with vitamin D insufficiency had non-significant higher pulse wave velocity than those with a vitamin D level in the normal range. Results showed that vitamin D supplementation produced a significant decrease in pulse wave velocity in those with vitamin D insufficiency when compared to those whose vitamin D levels were within the normal range. In addition, the systolic blood pressure levels measured in the office decreased whereas the 24-hour measurements were unaffected.
Grove-Laugesen D et al. Effect of 9 months of vitamin D supplementation on arterial stiffness and blood pressure in Graves’ disease: a randomized clinical trial. Endocrine. 2019 Jul 6. [Epub ahead of print]