Selenium in the treatment of autoimmune thyroiditis

Abstract

Introduction Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is named after the Japanese surgeon who discovered it in 1912. In the case of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, immune cells mistakenly attack healthy thyroid tissue, causing inflammation of the thyroid. Autoimmune diseases affect women more than men, and women are 7 times more likely to have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Testing for thyroid antibodies, such as thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO), is primarily ordered to help diagnose an autoimmune thyroid disease and to distinguish it from other forms of thyroid dysfunction. Selenium concentration is higher in the thyroid gland than in any other organ in the body, and, like iodine, selenium has important functions in thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism. Aim The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of variable doses (200/100 μg/day) of L-selenomethionine on autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and the parameters affecting the success rate of this therapy. Materials and Methods We used the following web databases - PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. Results In summary, we have investigated blinded, placebo-controlled, prospective studies in female patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and/or Tg antibodies (TgAb) above 350 IU/ml. The primary end point of the studies was the change in TPOAb concentrations. Conclusion We have concluded that selenium substitution may improve the inflammatory activity in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, especially in those with high activity. Whether this effect is specific for autoimmune thyroiditis or may also be effective in other endocrine autoimmune diseases has yet to be investigated.