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 .
Supplementation with antioxidants in the treatment of Graves' disease; the effect on glutathione peroxidase activity and concentration of selenium.
BACKGROUND The effect of supplementation with a fixed combination of antioxidants ( vitamins C and E , beta-carotene and selenium ) was monitored on the speed of attaining euthyroidism in a group of patients with Graves ' disease , treated with methimazole .  METHODS The activity of glutathione peroxidase in whole blood and the concentrations of selenium , pituitary and thyroid hormones in serum were measured , prior to commencement of therapy and after 30 and 60 days . RESULTS Patients who received supplementation with antioxidants in addition to therapy with methimazole  ( Group A , n=29 ) attained euthyroidism faster than the patients treated with only methimazole  ( Group B , n=28 ) . The concentration of selenium in the serum of patients in Group A increased significantly during treatment ( p<0.001 ) , while there was no statistically significant change in the patients in Group B. The concentration of selenium in the serum between the groups differed statistically significantly 30 days ( p<0.05 ) and 60 days ( p<0.01 ) after the commencement of therapy . Activity of glutathione peroxidase in whole blood increased during treatment in both groups of patients . However , a statistically more significant increase occurred in Group A compared to Group B , 30 days after the commencement of therapy ( p<0.01 ) . CONCLUSION The results of the study clearly indicate that supplementation with antioxidants in the treatment of Graves ' disease is justified , particularly those containing selenium
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 .