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 .
A Prospective Investigation of Graves' Disease and Selenium: Thyroid Hormones, Auto-Antibodies and Self-Rated Symptoms
Background : In Graves ' thyrotoxicosis tachycardia , weight loss and mental symptoms are common . Recovery takes time and varies between patients . Treatment with methimazole reduces thyroid hormone levels . According to previous research , this reduction has been faster if selenium ( Se ) is added . Objective : The objective was to investigate whether supplementing the pharmacologic treatment with Se could change the immune mechanisms , hormone levels and /or depression and anxiety . Methods : We prospect ively investigated 38 patients with initially untreated thyrotoxicosis by measuring the thyroid-stimulating hormone ( TSH ) , free thyroxine ( FT4 ) , free triiodothyronine ( FT3 ) , thyroid receptor antibodies and thyroid peroxidase auto-antibodies before medication and at 6 , 18 and 36 weeks after commencing treatment with methimazole and levo-thyroxine , with a r and omized blinded oral administration of 200 µg Se/day or placebo . The selenoprotein P concentration was determined in plasma at inclusion and after 36 weeks . The patients were also assessed with question naires about depression , anxiety and self-rated symptoms before medication was started and after 36 weeks . Results : FT4 decreased more in the Se group at 18 weeks ( 14 vs. 17 pmol/l compared to the placebo group , p = 0.01 ) and also at 36 weeks ( 15 vs. 18 pmol/l , p = 0.01 ) . The TSH increased more in the Se group at 18 weeks ( 0.05 vs. 0.02 mIU/l , p = 0.04 ) . The depression and anxiety scores were similar in both groups . In the Se group , the depression rates correlated negatively with FT3 and positively with TSH . This was not seen in the placebo group . Conclusions : Se supplementation can enhance biochemical restoration of hyperthyroidism , but whether this could shorten clinical symptoms of thyrotoxicosis and reduce mental symptoms must be investigated further
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 .