{"id":1706,"date":"2020-03-31T08:24:28","date_gmt":"2020-03-31T08:24:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seleniumfacts.com\/?p=1706"},"modified":"2020-05-20T06:33:47","modified_gmt":"2020-05-20T06:33:47","slug":"selenium-in-the-prevention-and-treatment-of-thyroid-disorders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seleniumfacts.com\/index.php\/selenium-in-the-prevention-and-treatment-of-thyroid-disorders","title":{"rendered":"Selenium in the Prevention and Treatment of Thyroid Disorders"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Throid
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland in the front of the neck just below the Adam’s apple. It consists of two lobes connected by the thyroid isthmus. Selenium deficiency and less than optimal activity of the selenoproteins may be a factor in autoimmune thyroid diseases.\u00a0 https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A 2017 summary of the research literature supports the idea that optimal selenium levels are needed for antioxidant protection against harmful free radicals in the thyroid gland and for the normal metabolism of thyroid hormones [Ventura 2017].<\/strong><\/p>\n

A 2018 research literature review shows that selenium supplementation can reduce anti-thyroperoxidase antibody levels and can improve thyroid ultrasound features. In addition, selenium supplementation is associated with improved symptoms and improved quality of life in patients with Graves orbitopathy [Santos 2018].<\/strong><\/p>\n

Note<\/em>: Anti-thyroperoxidase antibody levels that are too high (>500\u2009IU\/ml) are associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism<\/em><\/strong><\/a> in autoimmune thyroiditis, which is the most common form of thyroid disorder [Ehlers 2016].<\/p>\n

Note<\/em>: Graves orbitopathy (aka Graves ophthalmopathy) is the pathology of the bony cavity and tissues around the eye. It can occur in up to 50% of patients with Graves\u2019 disease, which is an autoimmune disease that is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.<\/p>\n

Low Selenium Status and Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases<\/h4>\n

Autoimmune thyroid diseases affect ca. 2% of the world population, women more than men. Santos et al [2018] state that Graves\u2019 Disease (hyperthyroidism) and Hashimoto Thyroiditis (hypothyroidism) are the most common forms of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Hashimoto\u2019s disease is approximately ten times more common than Graves\u2019 disease.<\/p>\n

Low plasma and serum selenium concentrations (below 70 micrograms per liter) have been reported in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases. Selenium supplementation is thought to modify inflammatory and immune responses in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis<\/em><\/strong><\/a> [Santos 2018].<\/p>\n

Selenium and Selenoproteins and Autoimmune Thyroiditis<\/h4>\n

Selenium is a key component of thyroid hormone metabolism.<\/em> <\/strong><\/a>The thyroid has the highest concentration of selenium of all tissues (0.2-2.0 micrograms per gram) [Rayman 2012; Ventura 2017].<\/p>\n

Selenium is rarely found in its elemental form in the body. Instead, as a component of the 21st amino acid, selenocysteine, it is incorporated into 25 known selenoproteins. The biological functions of selenium take effect primarily through the actions of these selenoproteins.<\/p>\n

Most of the selenoproteins are expressed in the thyroid gland<\/em><\/strong><\/a> [Santos 2018]. Of particular note are the seleno-enzymes:<\/p>\n