In people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, taking selenium supplements for six months is associated with an increase in a specific type of immune cell called activated regulatory T cells, as well as higher levels of a protein called Helios on those cells.

56

Pro

0

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

56

Community contributions welcome

56

Effect of selenium on thyroid autoimmunity and regulatory T cells in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: A prospective randomized‐controlled trial

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2021 Jul

This study found that taking selenium supplements for six months helped increase special immune cells called aTregs and made them more active by boosting a protein called Helios, which may help calm down the immune system in people with Hashimoto’s.

Contradicting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Effect of selenium on thyroid autoimmunity and regulatory T cells in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: A prospective randomized‐controlled trial

Score: 56

DOI: 10.1111/cts.12993

Similar Assertions

In people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis who have normal selenium levels, taking selenium supplements daily for six months or longer is linked to sustained increases in thyroid antibodies and hormone levels over five years.

59

0

82%

In people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, taking selenium supplements raises levels of selenium and certain antioxidant proteins in the blood, and these changes are linked to lower levels of thyroid autoantibodies and TSH.

56

0

82%

In adults with Hashimoto's thyroiditis who are not taking levothyroxine, taking 200 micrograms of selenium yeast daily for six months is linked to a measurable decrease in two types of thyroid antibodies, while those not taking selenium show no change.

56

0

79%

In people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, lower levels of selenium in the blood are linked to higher levels of antibodies that attack the thyroid gland, even when overall selenium levels are not deficient compared to healthy individuals.

35

0

79%

Among adults with Hashimoto's thyroiditis who have normal selenium levels, taking selenium supplements has been linked to a higher chance of developing other autoimmune conditions, including Sjögren's syndrome, over five years.

59

0

78%