Selenium supplementation reduces autoantibody

Gezza · 11-20-2006, 05:42 AM

My Dr has Hashi herself and has put me on Selenium supplementation. I thought I would share some info about it - it may be another option for others. If anyone is currently using Selenium can you post how its going for you? What were your symptoms and how have they changed?

Regarding the thyroid, selenium is a component of the enzyme that helps convert T4 to T3 peripherally, so deficiencies of selenium may impair thyroid function and promote hypothyroidism. According to the New England Journal, "selenium deficiency can result in thyroid injury and decreased extrathyroidal triiodothyronine production" (reduced peripheral T3 production.) Some experts believe that low T3 levels may be characteristic in areas with insufficient selenium. Studies also show that excess intake of selenium may also depress T3 levels. With some scientists suspecting that there may be a viral component or trigger to certain autoimmune conditions such as the common thyroid condition known as Hashimoto's Disease, the anti-viral properties of selenium also become more interesting, and further research into that connection as relates to thyroid disease particularly would be illuminating.

DENVER -- Selenium supplementation reduces autoantibody concentrations in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and lowers disease activity, Dr. Barbara Gasnier reported at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society. Results of a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study involving 72 women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis suggest that moderate-level supplements of selenium may be a low-cost, safe, and effective new therapy that curbs progression of this common autoimmune disease, according to Dr. Gasnier, who is with the University of Munich.

Hashimoto's autoimmune <#G90> thyroiditis <#G1636> has been associated with a range of anxiety <#G64> symptoms including panic attack <#G1215>.

Three months of supplementation with 200mcg <#G660> selenium <#G743> daily reduced thyroid <#G896> peroxidase antibodies <#G45> (TPOAb) but had no effect on Tg antibodies (TgAb) in a well-controlled study of 70 women with autoimmune <#G90> thyroiditis <#G1636>. TPOAb and/or TgAb levels were above 350 IU <#G625>/ml <#G1816>. [/ J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2002;87(4): pp.1687-1691/]

While the link between autoimmune thyroid disease and Type 1 diabetes (also autoimmune) is established, Czech researchers looked at the connection between autoimmune thyroid disease and Type 2 diabetes in people who were not overweight. In looking at patients' thyroid peroxidase antibodies, TG-antibodies, TSH levels, and ultrasound test results, the researchers found that 19% of Type 2 diabetics had autoimmune thyroid disease.

Selenium suppresses autoimmune destruction of thyrocytes and decreases titers of serum TPOAb in AIT patients. Older 4 clinical trials approved the efficacy of the daily dose of 200micg. It's believed that Se saturates the deficient stores of GPX so GPX saves the thyrocytes against to oxidative stresses.