Associations of metal profiles in blood with thyroiditis: a cross-sectional study

Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is increasingly common, and serological markers include thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb). To determine if selected metals influence thyroiditis antibody positivity, this cross-sectional study investigated associations between metals and thyroiditis antibody status. Healthy individuals (n = 1104) completed a questionnaire and underwent checkups of anthropometric parameters, thyroid function status, and levels of seven metals in blood (magnesium, iron, calcium, copper, zinc, manganese, and lead). Associated profiles of glyco- and lipid metabolism were also established. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analysis were applied to adjudge associations between metals and TPOAb and TgAb status. It was found that, after adjusting for likely cofounding factors, participants with antibody positivity had significantly lower serum concentrations of magnesium and iron. When serum magnesium levels were analyzed in quartiles, the odds ratios of quartile 4 were 0.329–fold (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.167–0647) and 0.259-fold (95% CI 0.177–0.574) that of quartile 1 regarding TPOAb and TgAb positivity (P = 0.004, 0.003). After adjustment, the RCS analysis detected nonlinear associations between iron and TPOAb and TgAb positivity (P < 0.01, both). In stratified analyses, these associations regarding magnesium and iron remained for women of reproductive age, but not for postmenopausal women and men. We conclude that lower serum levels of magnesium and iron are associated with incremental positivity of thyroiditis antibodies and may be among the most important metals contributing to AIT in women of reproductive age. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-022-23625-1.