Hashimoto’s and selenium — does selenium calm thyroid inflammation?

Aim of the study: To assess the clinical benefits of Selenium (Se) supplementation in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT).

Results: Twenty-one studies with a total of 1610 subjects were included. Serum TPOAb was significantly reduced after Se supplementation after 3 months (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.74 to -0.18, P = .001) and 6 months (SMD = -0.80, 95%CI: -1.38 to -0.21, P = .008). The serum TgAb levels decreased at 3 months (SMD = -0.46, 95%CI: -0.79 to -0.12, P = .007) but not at 6 months. Significant effects on declining the TSH titers were found after 6 months (SMD = -0.18, 95%CI = -0.35 to -0.01; P = .03). Se supplementation help reduce TPOAb and TSH levels in HT patients, leading to improvements in well-being or mood. Selenomethionine is more effective than NaSe and Se-yeast in the teatment of Hashimoto thyroid.

Aim of the study: Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element in human. Recent studies of Se supplementation on the effect of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) have been reported, but the exact benefit is unclear as well as the underlying immunologic mechanism.

Results: The results showed that SYT treatment significantly decreased TPOAb, TGAb, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, accompanied with the increased Se, GPx3, and SePP1, compared with the control group. Subgroup analysis revealed that subclinical HT may benefit more from this treatment in the decrease of TSH levels by interaction test. Moreover, the percentage of aTregs, Helios/Tregs, and Helios/aTregs were significantly higher in the Se-treated group than control. In conclusion, Se supplementation may have a beneficial effect on thyroid autoantibodies and thyroid function by increasing the antioxidant activity and upregulating the activated Treg cells.

Aim of the study: Clinicians often consider the use of dietary supplements to assist in lowering thyroid autoantibody titres in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Currently, different supplements differ in their ability to reduce autoantibody levels.

Results: A total of 10 quantitative meta-analyses of case-control studies were selected for this meta-analysis. Compared to the placebo group, the use of selenium supplements was able to significantly reduce the levels of thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies (TPOAb) (SMD: -2.44, 95% CI: -4.19, -0.69) and thyroglobulin autoantibodies (TgAb) (SMD: -2.76, 95% CI: -4.50, -1.02). During a 6-month treatment, the use of Myo-inositol, Vitamin D alone, and the combination of selenium, and Myo-inositol did not effectively reduce TPOAb (Myo-inositol: SMD:-1.94, 95% CI: -6.75, 2.87; Vitamin D: SMD: -2.54, 95% CI: -6.51,1.42; Se+Myo-inositol: SMD: -3.01, 95% CI: -8.96,2.93) or TgAb (Myo-inositol: SMD:-2.02, 95% CI: -6.52, 2.48; Vitamin D: SMD: -2.73, 95% CI: -6.44,0.98; Se+Myo-inositol: SMD: -3.64, 95% CI: -9.20,1.92) levels. Therefore, we recommend that patients with HT(Hashimoto's Thyroiditis) be given an appropriate amount of selenium as an auxiliary treatment during standard-of-care treatment.

Aim of the study: Selenium, a non-metallic element, is a micronutrient essential for the biosynthesis of selenoproteins containing selenocysteine. In adults, the thyroid contains the highest amount of selenium per gram of tissue.

Results: Selenium supplementation in Hashimoto's thyroiditis was associated with the decreased levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody and improved thyroid ultrasound structure. In thyroid cancer, various selenium supplements have shown variable anticancer activity. However, published results remain the conflicting and more clinical evidence is still needed to determine the clinical significance of selenium. This article reviews the strong association between selenium and thyroid disease and provides new ideas for the clinical management of selenium in thyroid disease.

Aim of the study: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is considered to be the most common autoimmune disease. It is currently accepted that genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, and immune disorders contribute to its development. With regard to nutritional factors, evidence implicates high iodine intake and deficiencies of selenium and iron with a potential relevance of vitamin D status.

Results: Clinicians should check patients' iron (particularly in menstruating women) and vitamin D status to correct any deficiency. Adequate selenium intake is vital in areas of iodine deficiency/excess, and in regions of low selenium intake a supplement of 50-100 μg/day of selenium may be appropriate.

Aim of the study: This article provides an update on the role of the essential trace element selenium and its interaction with the other trace elements iodine and iron that together contribute to adequate thyroid hormone status. Synthesis, secretion, metabolism and action of thyroid hormone in target tissues depend on a balanced nutritional availability or supplementation of these elements.

Results: Several studies, most with still too low numbers of cases, indicate that selenium administration in both autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto thyroiditis) and mild Graves' disease improves clinical scores and well-being of patients and reduces thyroperoxidase antibody titers. However, published results are still conflicting depending on basal selenium status, dose, time and form of selenium used for intervention. Evidence for sex-specific selenium action, lack of beneficial effects in pregnancy and contribution of genetic polymorphisms (selenoprotein S) has been presented.