The association of selenium status with thyroid hormones and anthropometric values in dyslipidemic patients

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient that performs physiological functions in the metabolism of thyroid hormone and may have an association with anthropometric variables relevant to cardiovascular disease.

To study the associations between Se status, thyroid hormones and anthropometric variables in dyslipidemic patients.

Eighty-three patients were assessed in a cross-sectional study. Blood samples were analyzed for Se and thyroid hormones. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and dietary Se intake was investigated.

Mean plasma Se concentrations were low in the patients, at 88.7 ± 16.7 µg/L. Patients with plasma Se ≥ 95 µg/L were found to have a higher body mass index (BMI) (30.74 ± 4.31 vs 27.68 ± 5.63 kg/m2, P = 0.02) and waist-to-height ratio (0.65 ± 0.05 vs 0.59 ± 0.07, P = 0.003) when compared to those with concentrations between 80 and 94 µg/L. Se intake associated positively with T3L/T4L ratio (r = 0.273; P= 0.03), BMI (r= 0.257, P= 0.04) and WC (r= 0.299, P= 0.02).

The patients with the highest normal plasma Se concentrations were found to have increases in the anthropometric variables we investigated. There is a need for further study in order to elucidate these findings. Furthermore, we found a positive association between Se intake and the most metabolically active form of the thyroid hormones.