Selenium nutritional status and thyroid dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Nutritional Science
• Immunology

Background:

• Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient crucial for immune and regulatory functions.
• In thyroid tissue, Se is integral to the antioxidant system and deiodinases, impacting thyroid hormone metabolism.
• Low Se levels impair glutathione peroxidase activity, increasing oxidative stress and thyroid damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of selenium's role in thyroid pathophysiology.
• To explore the association between selenium status and various thyroid conditions.
• To assess the potential benefits of selenium supplementation for thyroid health.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing literature.
• Literature search conducted in PubMed, Lilacs, and SciELO databases.
• Analysis of studies investigating selenium levels and thyroid disease.

Main Results:

• Selenium deficiency is associated with growth retardation, reproductive issues, Keshan's disease, and Kashin-Beck's disease.
• An inverse correlation exists between serum Se levels and autoimmune thyroiditis in areas with mild Se deficiency.
• Se supplementation may aid in achieving euthyroidism and improving outcomes in Graves' disease.

Conclusions:

• Maintaining adequate selenium levels may be linked to thyroid disease prevention.
• Evidence suggests a role for selenium in managing autoimmune thyroiditis and Graves' disease.
• Further research is required to definitively establish the efficacy of selenium supplementation for thyroid health.