Selenium and Graves’ Disease

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, i.e., overactive thyroid disorder. Ultimately, it is the overproduction of thyrotropin receptor (TRAb) antibodies that results in hyperthyroidism. Over time, Graves’ disease causes extensive damage to thyroid gland cells and tissues [Song 2023].

Thyroid system
In Graves’ disease, the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, a condition called hyperthyroidism. Attribution: Wikimedia Commons.

Oxidative stress appears to play an important role in Graves’ hyperthyroidism. Oxidative stress is the medical term for a disruption of the balance between harmful free radical oxidants and protective antioxidants. The increased production of reactive oxygen
radicals and inflammatory cytokines drives the development and progression of Graves’ disease [Song 2023]. read more

Selenium and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease. It is a disease that causes underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). The body’s own immune-system cells attack the cells of the thyroid gland and gradually break them down and destroy them. This, of course, has a detrimental effect on thyroid gland function and on important metabolic processes in the body.

Selenium and thyroid gland function
The thyroid gland regulates energy metabolism, heart rate, breathing, digestion, body temperature, mental activity, and other body processes. Adequate selenium intake is necessary for thyroid hormone production.

Hashimoto’s is a bit tricky. In its early development and progression, there may not be any obvious symptoms. Eventually, such symptoms as fatigue and lethargy and weight gain will make themselves manifest. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a debilitating disease. It lessens a person’s quality of life. It tends to affect women more than men.

Of all the organs in the body, the thyroid gland has the highest concentration of selenium. It is a greedy organ with respect to selenium. An adequate intake of selenium can lessen the severity of hypothyroidism symptoms and is associated with lowered levels of autoimmune thyroid peroxidase antibodies. read more

Selenium Exposure Studies

Selenium exposure in the diet and in supplements: in this review article, we summarize the key outcomes of the best selenium exposure studies.

Optimal Selenium Intake and Status

In his review of the available research literature, Professor Urban Alehagen, Linköping University, Sweden, concluded that a daily intake of 100–150 mcg of selenium per day is required.

This is the intake level that enables an optimal expression of the important selenoprotein P that transports selenium from the liver to peripheral tissues [Alehagen 2022].  For other selenoproteins to be optimized, i.e., to be fully expressed, Prof. Alehagen argues that selenium status of approximately 120 mcg/L when measured in red blood cells is necessary [Alehagen 2022]. read more

Hashimoto’s Disease Patients Benefit from Selenium Supplementation

Hypothyroidism is the medical condition caused by an underactive thyroid gland that is not producing sufficient quantities of thyroid hormones. It is the failure of the thyroid gland to function normally.

Jan Olav Aaseth
Endocrinologist Jan Aaseth, M.D., Ph. D., ERT, explains that, in Norway, the diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease is made after a clinical examination that involves determination of the patient’s circulating levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone, and thyroperoxidase antibodies [Aaseth 2022].
The most common form of hypothyroidism is related to Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder most common among middle-aged women. Symptoms include anxiety, dry skin, fatigue and lethargy, muscle aches and muscle stiffness, negative mood, sensitivity to cold, slow thinking and poor memory.

The standard treatment for Hashimoto’s disease is twofold:

1) treatment with a synthetic hormone called levothyroxine, which works like the T4 hormone that is naturally produced by the thyroid gland read more