The Study
Autoantibodies to selenoprotein P in chronic fatigue syndrome suggest selenium transport impairment and acquired resistance to thyroid hormone
This study looked at people with chronic fatigue and compared them to healthy people. It found that some people with fatigue had unusual antibodies that might interfere with how their body uses selenium. But it didn’t prove those antibodies made them tired — they might have gotten the antibodies because they were already sick, or something else might be causing both.
Analysis score
Maximum 58 for a case-control study.
Where the score came from
Some people with chronic fatigue have antibodies that block a protein needed to deliver selenium to the body’s thyroid system, which stops the thyroid from making enough active hormone even when selenium levels look normal.
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 554 / 100
Quality score
Researchers compare people who have a condition (cases) with similar people who do not (controls), looking back in time for differences in exposure. Useful but more prone to bias.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes — this suggests a biological reason for fatigue in a subset of patients: their body can't convert thyroid hormone into its active form, even if blood tests look normal.
- 29.6–15.6% of CFS patients had these antibodies (vs.
- 30.9–2.0% of healthy people); those with antibodies had 50% lower urinary iodine and much lower T3 hormone levels.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Redox Biology
Year
2023
Authors
Qian Sun, E. Oltra, D. Dijck-Brouwer, T. Chillon, P. Seemann, Sabrina Asaad, K. Demircan, José A Espejo-Oltra, Teresa Sánchez-Fito, E. Martín-Martínez, W. Minich, F. Muskiet, L. Schomburg
Related Content
Claims (6)
In people with chronic fatigue syndrome who have specific autoantibodies, selenium in the blood does not correlate with the activity of an enzyme called glutathione peroxidase 3, suggesting that selenium is not reaching the kidneys properly even though overall selenium levels in the body are normal.
People with chronic fatigue syndrome who have specific antibodies targeting selenoprotein P excrete less iodine in their urine than those without these antibodies or healthy individuals, suggesting a reduction in the release of iodide from thyroid hormones caused by decreased deiodinase enzyme function.
A specific type of antibody that targets selenoprotein P is found in a higher percentage of people with chronic fatigue syndrome than in people without the condition.
People with chronic fatigue syndrome who have autoantibodies targeting selenoprotein P show lower levels of markers indicating thyroid hormone conversion to its active form, compared to those without these autoantibodies.
In people with chronic fatigue syndrome, those with specific antibodies against selenoprotein P show lower levels of a combined measure of thyroid hormone activation and iodine intake than those without these antibodies, suggesting this combination may help identify impaired thyroid function.
In some individuals, immune system proteins called autoantibodies bind to the thyroid gland, reducing its ability to produce hormones and triggering persistent inflammation.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.