Current literature support and opposition for therapeutic use of selenium supplementation in autoimmune thyroid conditions

Abstract

This systematic review investigates the correlation between selenium status and thyroid conditions, specifically focusing on autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) including Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' Disease (GD). After a meticulous analysis of 14 research studies, we explored the impact of selenium levels and supplementation on several thyroid-specific parameters and overall disease progression. Several studies indicated a notable inverse correlation between selenium deficiency and the prevalence and severity of AITD. In particular, HT patients showed consistent improvement with selenium supplementation, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent. However, the effect of selenium on GD was not as clear, with some studies indicating no significant correlation. These inconsistent effects demonstrate how nuanced AITD treatment must be. It also shows that selenium plays a varied role in thyroid health. The findings in this review serve as an example of how micronutrient intake is important in thyroid disease management. The nuances of these treatments support a need for more patient-centered and individualized treatment plans, which may be further helped by detailed research into proper dosing and administration strategies. Specific patient populations may benefit from selenium supplementation, though the variability in outcomes points to a need for vigilance in the clinical setting. Importantly, the ability to personalize supplementation depends on establishing a reliable method for detecting selenium deficiency or status. Future clinical guidelines should emphasize the necessity of a solid diagnostic framework that allows for precise monitoring, ensuring that selenium supplementation is appropriately justified and tailored to individual patient needs.