The Study
Insufficient evidence to support the clinical efficacy of selenium supplementation for patients with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis
This study looked at lots of smaller experiments where people took selenium pills and found that, on average, their antibody levels went down. But it didn’t help their thyroid work better or make them feel better. So selenium might calm down some immune markers, but it doesn’t fix the real problem.
Analysis score
Maximum 85 for a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Where the score came from
Taking selenium pills lowers some immune markers in people with Hashimoto's, but it doesn't make them feel better or fix their thyroid function.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 539 / 100
Quality score
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of cohort studies. They sit above a single cohort study but below a single randomized trial, because the underlying evidence is still observational.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Even though antibody levels went down, patients didn't feel better, and their thyroid still didn't work right — so the drop didn't matter in real life.
- 2TPOAb dropped by 237 IU/mL at 3 months, 407 at 6 months, and 327 at 12 months; TSH didn't change; side effects increased.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Endocrine
Year
2021
Authors
Yuxuan Qiu, Z. Xing, Qiao Xiang, Qianru Yang, Jingqiang Zhu, A. Su
Related Content
Claims (7)
Taking selenium supplements is associated with lower levels of antibodies that attack the thyroid in people diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disease.
People with lower levels of selenium in their bodies have a higher likelihood of developing autoimmune responses, which involve the immune system reacting against the body's own tissues.
Taking selenium supplements may lower levels of thyroid peroxidase antibodies in adults with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis who are already taking levothyroxine, with the greatest reduction seen at six months. However, it does not change thyroid-stimulating hormone levels or improve symptoms related to the condition.
In adults with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, taking selenium supplements may lead to changes in how the thyroid appears on ultrasound, but these changes do not result in better thyroid hormone levels or reduced symptoms.
Taking selenium supplements may lead to more side effects in adults with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, without improving their health outcomes, so routine use is not recommended.
Taking selenium supplements does not change the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in adults with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, whether or not they are taking levothyroxine.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.