Clinical utility of vitamin D in the treatment of idiopathic chronic lymphopenia: a possible intervention

Abstract

Aim: To open the possibility of using vitamin D in cases of idiopathic lymphopenia. Background: In addition to its participation in the homeostasis of calcium and phosphorus, vitamin D has immunomodulatory mechanisms, so, its deficiency, apart from being associated with bone abnormalities, accompanies the development of certain autoimmune diseases. Case Description: It is a case of leukopenia associated with idiopathic lymphopenia of four years of evolution, in a 51-year-old woman, with history of hemithyroidectomy and osteopenia in the lumbar spine. Management initially consisted in supplementation with calcium and ibandronic acid. However, in the presence of hypercalciuria, vitamin D deficiency was suspected, so its serum levels were quantified, confirming the deficiency, then calcitriol was added to the treatment. Five months after the first dose of calcitriol, the leukocytes and lymphocytes levels were within normal range. Conclusion: There are many therapeutic schemes to treat vitamin D deficiency, however, nowadays no cases have been reported confirming the positive effect on lymphocytes count after vitamin D supplementation. Clinical significance: Until now, cases of idiopathic lymphopenia have not been given any specific therapeutic alternative, and vitamin D could have a positive effect if there is an autoimmune component, and perhaps even offer a greater spectrum of benefits.