TRAb levels decreased at 6 but not 9 months .
At 6 months , patients on selenium supplementation were more likely than controls to show improved thyroid function ; however , the effect disappeared at 9 months .
Low selenium status is associated with increased risk of Graves ' disease ( GD ) .
While several trials have discussed the efficacy of selenium supplementation for thyroid function , in GD patients , the effectiveness of selenium intake as adjuvant therapy remains unclear .
In this systematic review and meta- analysis , we aim ed to determine the efficacy of selenium supplementation on thyroid function in GD patients .
Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled, Randomized Trial of Selenium in Graves Hyperthyroidism
Context : Supplemental selenium ( Se ) may affect the clinical course of Graves disease ( GD ) . Objective : Evaluate efficacy of add‐on Se on medical treatment in GD . Design : Double‐blind , placebo‐controlled , r and omized supplementation trial . Setting : Academic endocrine outpatient clinic . Patients : Seventy untreated hyperthyroid patients with GD . Intervention : Additionally to methimazole ( MMI ) , patients received for 24 weeks either sodium selenite 300 & mgr;g/d po or placebo . MMI was discontinued at 24 weeks in euthyroid patients . Main Outcome Measures : Response rate ( week 24 ) , recurrence rate ( week 36 ) , and safety . Results : A response was registered in 25 of 31 patients ( 80 % ) and in 27 of 33 ( 82 % ) at week 24 [ odds ratio ( OR ) 0.93 ; 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) , 0.26 to 3.25 ; P = 0.904 ] in the Se ( + MMI ) and placebo ( + MMI ) groups , respectively . During a 12‐week follow‐up , 11 of 23 ( 48 % ) and 12 of 27 ( 44 % ) relapsed ( OR 1.13 ; 95 % CI , 0.29 to 2.66 ; P = 0.81 ) in the Se and placebo groups , respectively . Serum concentrations of Se and selenoprotein P were unrelated to response or recurrence rates . At week 36 , 12 of 29 ( 41 % ) and 15 of 33 ( 45 % ) were responders and still in remission in the Se and placebo groups , respectively ( OR 0.85 ; 95 % CI , 0.31 to 2.32 ; P = 0.80 ) . Serum levels of free triiodothyronine/free tetraiodothyronine , thyroid‐stimulating hormone receptor antibody , prevalence of moderate to severe Graves orbitopathy , thyroid volume , and MMI starting dose were significantly lower in responders than in nonresponders . A total of 56 and 63 adverse events occurred in the Se and placebo groups , respectively ( P = 0.164 ) , whereas only one drug‐related side effect ( 2.9 % ) was noted in 35 patients on placebo + MMI . Conclusions : Supplemental Se did not affect response or recurrence rates in GD
TRAb levels decreased at 6 but not 9 months .
At 6 months , patients on selenium supplementation were more likely than controls to show improved thyroid function ; however , the effect disappeared at 9 months .
Low selenium status is associated with increased risk of Graves ' disease ( GD ) .
While several trials have discussed the efficacy of selenium supplementation for thyroid function , in GD patients , the effectiveness of selenium intake as adjuvant therapy remains unclear .
In this systematic review and meta- analysis , we aim ed to determine the efficacy of selenium supplementation on thyroid function in GD patients .