Clinical efficacy of selenium supplementation in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 40898469 · doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044043
What was done
Eight databases were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating selenium supplementation in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis. Analyzed outcomes included thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4).
What was found
Twenty-one studies with 1,610 subjects were included. Selenium supplementation significantly reduced serum TPOAb at 3 months (SMD = -0.46, 95% CI: -0.74 to -0.18, P = .001) and at 6 months (SMD = -0.80, 95% CI: -1.38 to -0.21, P = .008). Serum TgAb decreased at 3 months (SMD = -0.46, 95% CI: -0.79 to -0.12, P = .007) but not at 6 months. TSH levels significantly decreased after 6 months (SMD = -0.18, 95% CI: -0.35 to -0.01, P = .03). No numerical values were reported in the abstract for FT3, FT4, formulation comparisons, or mood and well-being measures.
Why it matters
This review aggregates randomized trial data showing that selenium reduces thyroid autoantibody titers and modestly lowers TSH over 3 to 6 months in Hashimoto thyroiditis.
Limits
The abstract provides no quantitative data or effect sizes for thyroid hormone levels (FT3, FT4), clinical symptoms, or head-to-head formulation comparisons, despite concluding selenomethionine is superior. Data on baseline selenium status, study heterogeneity, risk of bias, and safety or long-term outcomes beyond 6 months are not provided.
Cited by
- supports Selenium supports the enzymatic conversion of T4 to T3 and lowers thyroid peroxidase (TPO) autoantibody levels in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.