Selenium for Hashimoto's: Can It Help Your Thyroid?

observational-study PMID: 33650299

Quick Summary: A recent study found that taking selenium supplements for six months helped lower thyroid antibodies and improve thyroid function in people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This suggests selenium might help manage this autoimmune condition.

What The Research Found

The study looked at people with Hashimoto's who took selenium supplements. Here's what they found:

Lowered Antibodies: Selenium helped reduce levels of thyroid antibodies, which are a sign of the immune system attacking the thyroid.

Improved Thyroid Function: Selenium also helped improve thyroid function, as measured by TSH levels.

Increased Antioxidants: Selenium increased levels of important antioxidants in the body.

Boosted Immune Cells: Selenium seemed to boost the activity of certain immune cells that help regulate the immune system.

Study Details

Who was studied: 90 people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

How long: The study lasted for 6 months.

What they took: Participants took selenious yeast tablets, a form of selenium.

What This Means For You

If you have Hashimoto's, this research suggests that selenium might be a helpful addition to your treatment plan.

Talk to your doctor: Before taking any supplements, it's crucial to talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if selenium is right for you and what dosage is appropriate.

Consider your overall health: Selenium is an essential nutrient, but too much can be harmful. Your doctor can help you monitor your levels.

Don't rely on supplements alone: Selenium may be helpful, but it's not a cure. Continue to follow your doctor's recommendations for managing your Hashimoto's, including medication and lifestyle changes.

Study Limitations

It's important to keep these things in mind:

Dosage wasn't specified: The exact amount of selenium used in the study wasn't detailed.

Short-term study: The study only lasted six months, so we don't know the long-term effects.

More research needed: While promising, more research is needed to confirm these findings and understand how selenium works in more detail.

Key Findings

Selenium supplementation (as selenious yeast tablets) for 6 months significantly reduced thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb) in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels also decreased, while serum selenium, glutathione peroxidase3 (GPx3), and selenoprotein P1 (SePP1) increased. Subgroup analysis indicated that patients with subclinical HT experienced greater TSH reduction. Additionally, selenium boosted activated regulatory T cells (aTregs) and Helios/PD-1 expression on Tregs, suggesting immune modulation.

Study Design

This was a prospective, randomized-controlled trial conducted in 90 HT patients (43 in selenium group, 47 controls). The intervention lasted 6 months, with outcomes measured pre- and post-treatment. The study was classified as observational in the source, though its methodology aligns with a randomized-controlled trial (RCT).

Dosage & Administration

Participants received selenious yeast tablets (SYT) daily for 6 months. The exact dosage was not specified in the provided summary, but SYT likely provided organic selenium (e.g., selenomethionine). Administration details (e.g., timing, food interactions) were not reported.

Results & Efficacy

Antibodies: TPOAb and TGAb levels decreased significantly in the selenium group vs. controls (p < 0.05 for both).
Thyroid Function: TSH levels dropped more in the selenium group (subgroup analysis showed greater benefit in subclinical HT, p < 0.05).
Antioxidant Markers: Serum selenium, GPx3, and SePP1 increased significantly with supplementation.
Immune Modulation: Selenium group showed higher percentages of aTregs, Helios+ Tregs, and Helios+ activated Tregs (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced regulatory T cell activity.

Limitations

Dosage Unclear: The specific selenium dosage (e.g., µg/day) was not detailed, limiting reproducibility.
Short Duration: 6 months may be insufficient to assess long-term efficacy or safety.
Sample Demographics: Age, gender, or baseline thyroid status (e.g., TSH range) were not provided, restricting subgroup insights.
Observational Classification: The study was described as observational, conflicting with its RCT design, raising potential categorization ambiguities.
Mechanistic Gaps: The exact immunological pathways linking selenium to Treg upregulation remain unexplored.

Clinical Relevance

Selenium supplementation may improve thyroid autoimmunity and function in HT patients, particularly those with subclinical disease. The increase in antioxidant markers (GPx3, SePP1) and regulatory T cells suggests selenium supports immune tolerance and redox balance. However, the lack of dosage details and long-term data means supplement users should consult healthcare providers to weigh benefits against risks (e.g., excess selenium toxicity). These findings align with prior evidence of selenium’s role in thyroid health but require validation in larger, diverse cohorts.

Note: This analysis is specific to the cited study. Quantitative results (e.g., absolute antibody reductions) were omitted due to insufficient data in the provided summary.