Effects of selenium supplementation on the natural course of autoimmune thyroiditis: A short review.

Selenium (Se) is an important element that exerts its effects on the
selenoproteins. It is an essential component of the glutathione peroxidase
enzymes, which have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and a
component of iodothyronine selenodeiodinases, which catalyze the extrathyroid
production of T3 from T4. Se is important to several aspects of thyroid
homeostasis and may influence the natural course of thyroid diseases such as
autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). This review analyzes the effects of Se
supplementation in patients with AIT, based on the studies published on this
issue to date.