Two systematic review s have evaluated controlled trials among patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and report that selenium supplementation decreases circulating thyroid autoantibodies .
The immunomodulatory effects of selenium might involve reducing proinflammatory cytokine release .
In Graves ’ disease , some , but not all , trials indicate that adjuvant selenium supplementation enhances the restoration of biochemical euthyroidism , and might benefit patients with mild Graves ’ orbitopathy .
The available evidence from trials does not support routine selenium supplementation in the st and ard treatment of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis or Graves ’ disease .
However , correction of moderate to severe selenium deficiency may offer benefits in preventing , as well as treating , these disorders .
Purpose of review This review provides an appraisal of recent evidence for or against selenium supplementation in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases , and discusses possible effect mechanisms .
Recent findings Epidemiological data suggest an increased prevalence of autoimmune thyroid diseases under conditions of low dietary selenium intake .
However , clinical ly relevant effects of selenium supplementation , including improvement in quality of life , are more elusive .
Selenomethionine treatment in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis: a prospective, quasi-randomised trial.
AIMS To test whether selenium administration affects autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase ( anti-TPO ) and thyroglobulin ( anti-TG ) titres in chronic autoimmune ( Hashimoto 's - HT ) thyroiditis . METHODS A prospect i ve , open-label , quasi-r and omised study in 86 HT patients ( n = 86 ) assigned to either selenomethionine ( Seme ) 200μg daily for 3 months ( Se3 , n = 15 ) or 6 months ( Se6 , n = 46 ) or placebo ( Control , n = 25 ) . Serum Se , anti-TPO , anti-TG and thyroid hormones were measured in all patients at baseline , 3 and 6 months . A subgroup of 18 patients ( twelve on Se6 and six controls ) were subjected in thyroid fine-needle biopsy at baseline and 6 months to detect changes in lymphocyte infiltration . RESULTS No significant difference in anti-TPO levels was recorded after 3 ( p = 0.88 ) or 6 months ( p = 0.62 ) on Seme . Anti-TG levels decreased both at 3 months ( p = 0.001 ) and 6 months ( p = 0.001 ) . No significant changes in thyroid stimulating hormone , free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine levels or in the lymphocytes ' number in thyroid cytology specimens were detected . Age , gender , duration of disease , baseline anti-TPO levels and per cent change in Se levels could not predict the response of anti-TPO levels to Seme administration . CONCLUSION Our data suggest that Seme administration in pharmacological doses for a period of 6 months seems to have no significant effect on serum thyroid auto-antibodies ' levels or lymphocyte infiltration of the thyroid gl and
Two systematic review s have evaluated controlled trials among patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and report that selenium supplementation decreases circulating thyroid autoantibodies .
The immunomodulatory effects of selenium might involve reducing proinflammatory cytokine release .
In Graves ’ disease , some , but not all , trials indicate that adjuvant selenium supplementation enhances the restoration of biochemical euthyroidism , and might benefit patients with mild Graves ’ orbitopathy .
The available evidence from trials does not support routine selenium supplementation in the st and ard treatment of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis or Graves ’ disease .
However , correction of moderate to severe selenium deficiency may offer benefits in preventing , as well as treating , these disorders .
Purpose of review This review provides an appraisal of recent evidence for or against selenium supplementation in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases , and discusses possible effect mechanisms .
Recent findings Epidemiological data suggest an increased prevalence of autoimmune thyroid diseases under conditions of low dietary selenium intake .
However , clinical ly relevant effects of selenium supplementation , including improvement in quality of life , are more elusive .