THYROID: Edited by Lewis E. Braverman and Angela M. LeungSelenium and the thyroidKöhrle, Josef Author Information Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Germany Correspondence to Josef Köhrle, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Tel: +49 30 450 524022; e-mail: [email protected] Current Opinion in Endocrinology & Diabetes and Obesity 20(5):p 441-448, October 2013. | DOI: 10.1097/01.med.0000433066.24541.88 Buy Metrics Abstract Purpose of review To provide information on the role of the essential trace element selenium, which enables appropriate thyroid hormone synthesis, secretion, and metabolism, and to discuss supplementation with various selenium compounds, which prevent thyroid diseases such as goiter and exert beneficial effects in thyroid autoimmune diseases. Recent findings Selenium administration in both autoimmune thyroiditis (M. Hashimoto) and mild Graves’ disease improves clinical scores and well-being of patients and reduces autoimmune antibody titres in several prospective, placebo-controlled supplementation studies. Summary Adequate nutritional supply of selenium, together with the two other essential trace elements iodine and iron, is required for a healthy thyroid during development and adolescence, as well as in the adult and aging populations. Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
