Relationship between thyroid function and dietary inflammatory index in Hashimoto thyroiditis patients

Abstract

Inflammation is closely related to the changes of thyroid function in Hashimoto thyroiditis patients. Certain nutrients or dietary habits can alter the levels of autoantibodies in Hashimoto thyroiditis. However, it remains unclear whether dietary inflammation affects thyroid function in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary inflammation and thyroid function in Hashimoto thyroiditis patients using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We employed weighted multivariable linear regression, subgroup analyses, and interaction analysis to explore the relationship between thyroid function and dietary inflammatory index. We found that dietary inflammatory index was positively correlated with TSH and total T4. Interaction analysis found an interaction between urinary iodine concentration and FT3, but subgroup analysis for different levels of urinary iodine concentration did not get statistically significant results. Hashimoto thyroiditis patients with more pro-inflammatory diet habits had higher levels of TSH and TT4. In order to prevent hypothyroidism more effectively in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis, it is essential to control dietary inflammation. However, it is still necessary to design a better prospective cohort study to verify the causal relationship.