Does selenium help calm an overactive thyroid in Graves' disease?
Effects of Selenium Supplementation on Graves' Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Selenium improved thyroid hormone levels but had zero impact on Graves' eye disease (ophthalmopathy) or relapse rates.
Many believe selenium helps with autoimmune eye symptoms—this study directly contradicts that, despite prior smaller trials suggesting otherwise.
Practical Takeaways
Don't spend money on selenium supplements for Graves' disease unless you're in a clinical trial or have a confirmed selenium deficiency.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Selenium improved thyroid hormone levels but had zero impact on Graves' eye disease (ophthalmopathy) or relapse rates.
Many believe selenium helps with autoimmune eye symptoms—this study directly contradicts that, despite prior smaller trials suggesting otherwise.
Practical Takeaways
Don't spend money on selenium supplements for Graves' disease unless you're in a clinical trial or have a confirmed selenium deficiency.
Publication
Journal
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM
Year
2018
Authors
Huijuan Zheng, Junping Wei, Liansheng Wang, Qiuhong Wang, Jinrong Zhao, Shuya Chen, Fan Wei
Related Content
Claims (6)
Taking selenium supplements is associated with lower levels of antibodies that attack the thyroid in people diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disease.
Taking selenium supplements at 100–300 micrograms per day for 3 to 6 months may lead to a small rise in thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in adults with Graves' disease who are on antithyroid drugs, but this change does not continue after 6 months.
There is no clear evidence that taking selenium supplements improves key outcomes for people with Graves' disease, such as reducing relapses, improving quality of life, or easing eye symptoms.
In adults with Graves' disease taking antithyroid medication, taking selenium supplements at 100–300 μg per day for 3 to 6 months lowers levels of FT3 and FT4 hormones in the blood, but these reductions do not remain after 9 months of treatment.
Taking selenium supplements daily at 100–300 micrograms for six months may lower levels of antibodies targeting the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor in adults with Graves' disease who are on antithyroid drugs, but this reduction does not last beyond nine months.