The Study
Add-On Effect of Selenium and Vitamin D Combined Supplementation in Early Control of Graves’ Disease Hyperthyroidism During Methimazole Treatment
This study is like a fair test where two groups of people with the same illness got different treatments—one got extra vitamins and one didn’t. The group with vitamins got better faster, so we think the vitamins might have helped. But we can’t say for sure it was the vitamins alone, because the group got sicker to start with.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
When people with an overactive thyroid (Graves' disease) also have low selenium and vitamin D, giving them these supplements along with their regular medicine helps their thyroid levels drop faster and makes them feel better sooner.
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 578 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes — patients felt mentally sharper and more socially engaged faster, even before their thyroid hormones fully normalized, suggesting real-life benefits beyond lab numbers.
- 2FT4 dropped 12.2 pg/ml more with supplements than without; quality of life improved 2-3 times more with supplements, especially in thinking and social life.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Frontiers in Endocrinology
Year
2022
Authors
D. Gallo, L. Mortara, G. Veronesi, Simona Cattaneo, A. Genoni, M. Gallazzi, C. Peruzzo, P. Lasalvia, P. Moretto, A. Bruno, A. Passi, Andrea Pini, A. Nauti, Maria Antonietta Lavizzari, Michele Marinò, G. Lanzolla, M. Tanda, L. Bartalena, E. Piantanida
Related Content
Claims (5)
In adults with newly diagnosed Graves' disease and low selenium and vitamin D levels, adding 100 mcg of selenium daily and 7000 IU of vitamin D weekly to methimazole treatment lowers free thyroxine levels by 12.2 pg/ml at 180 days and improves quality of life compared to methimazole alone.
In patients newly diagnosed with Graves' disease who have low selenium and vitamin D levels, taking 100 micrograms of selenium daily and 7000 international units of vitamin D weekly for six months leads to a measurable improvement in quality of life scores, particularly in cognitive function and social well-being, regardless of changes in thyroid hormone levels.
In people newly diagnosed with Graves' disease who have low levels of selenium and vitamin D, adding selenium and vitamin D supplements to methimazole treatment does not change how quickly thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies decrease.
In people newly diagnosed with Graves' disease who have low selenium and vitamin D levels, taking 100 micrograms of selenium daily for six months increases blood selenium levels to a recommended range and keeps them elevated for at least three months after stopping, without leading to selenium toxicity.
In people newly diagnosed with Graves' disease who have low vitamin D levels, taking 7000 IU of vitamin D weekly for six months after an initial higher dose increases blood vitamin D levels above 30 ng/mL and keeps them in the normal range for at least nine months.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.