Micronutrient status (calcium, zinc, vitamins D and E) in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the micronutrient status of Iranian patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and to analyze potential relationships with respect to MTC risk.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study (Tehran Thyroid Cancer Survey 2015-2016). We measured and compared preoperative serum calcium, zinc, and vitamins D and E in patients with MTC and healthy controls. Forty cases with MTC and 40 (age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched) healthy controls voluntarily participated in the project.

RESULTS

Serum calcium, zinc, and vitamin D and E concentrations were lower in the patients with cancer (PCa < 0.001, PZn = 0.01, PD = 0.056, PE = 0.002) than in the healthy controls. We found that serum calcium remarkably associated with enhanced risk for thyroid cancer (odds ratio [OR], 6.5; P = 0.001). Likewise, serum vitamin E was linked to the risk for cancer (OR, 1.31; P = 0.056). Moreover, serum zinc was correlated with vitamin E and calcium (r = +0.23; P = 0.04 and r = +0.25, P = 0.03; respectively). We also observed a correlation between calcium and vitamin E (r = +0.27; P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

A multiple-micronutrient decrease was confirmed in patients with MTC. A low serum calcium level was a potent risk factor for MTC. Findings from the present study suggest that dietary intake and/or supplementation of micronutrients, especially calcium and vitamin E, may be beneficial in reducing the risk for thyroid cancer.