Effect of Selenium-Enriched Yeast Supplementation on Serum Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody Levels in Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Background: In the subclinical hypothyroidism, T4 or T3 levels are normal and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is slightly high. Selenium deficiency can lead to thyroid dysfunction. The present study aims to investigate the effect of selenium supplementation on the thyroid hormone and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO AB) levels. Materials and Methods: In this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 42 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were randomly assigned to receive 200 μg selenium or placebo for 8 weeks. In the both groups, the serum TSH and anti-TPO antibody levels were measured and assessed before and after the intervention. Results: After the interventions, the mean serum TSH reduction in the intervention and placebo groups was −10.98 ± 33.31 and −3.20 ± 38.36, respectively, which were not statistically significant. However, the mean serum anti-TPO Ab concentration increased in the intervention and placebo groups (109.81 ± 51.49% vs. 173.17 ± 96.26%), between which the difference was not statistically significant ( P >0.05) despite a slight increase in the mean anti-TPO level in the intervention group. Conclusion: The results of the current study indicated that selenium supplementation has no significant effect on serum anti-TPO Ab and TSH levels in the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Studies with larger sample size and with different doses of selenium are needed to reach more precise results.

Selenium Supplementation in Patients with Hashimoto Thyroiditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

“…Only six (19%) studies were prospectively registered and reported their planned analyses. 46 , 48 , 50 , 68–70 Eight (26%) of the studies reported the details of the randomization process. 40 , 48 , 58 , 61 , 65 , 70 , 71 , 76 Other common issues included a lack of power analysis and a clear description of the statistical analysis.…”

Survey on selenium clinical supplementation in autoimmune thyroid disease

“…No other study came to such relevant conclusions, although in a recent meta-analysis, Se-Su seems to have a protective role against postpartum depression ( 44 ). A placebo-controlled clinical trial for subclinical hypothyroidism was not able to demonstrate that Se-Su had any significant effect on serum TPOAb and TSH levels ( 45 ). Therefore, facing this lack of evidence, it is not surprising that in these AITD-related conditions, most clinicians either do not recommend Se or have no information.…”

Selenium in Bodily Homeostasis: Hypothalamus, Hormones, and Highways of Communication

“…Interestingly, a recent animal study found that when mice were placed on a low selenium diet (0.02 mg/kg), selenium levels in the thyroid gland were maintained, but reduced selenoprotein expression was observed in the liver and kidneys, targets of thyroid hormones [ 214 ]. While selenium supplementation was reported to induce no significant therapeutic effect on patients with subclinical hypothyroidism [ 215 ], co-treatment of selenium was found to enhance the efficacy of levothyroxine sodium (LT4) in treating chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis patients with hypothyroidism, yielding greater improvements to inflammatory factors, compared to treatment with LT4 alone [ 216 ]. Selenium supplementation was also found to increase the efficacy of antithyroid drugs in the treatment of Graves’ disease [ 217 ].…”