Trending
Selenium cut thyroid antibodies in Hashimoto patients at 3 months — but the effect vanished by 6 months.
This meta-analysis suggests selenium may temporarily lower thyroglobulin antibodies, but the loss of effect at 6 months and the mixed prior evidence (only 2 of 4 studies found a benefit) mean the case is far from settled.
In a meta-analysis of 4 studies involving 1,610 people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, selenium supplementation reduced thyroglobulin antibodies after 3 months (a moderate effect) — but that reduction was no longer statistically significant at 6 months. Other markers like thyroid peroxidase antibodies and TSH did show sustained improvements at 6 months, but the overall evidence for selenium's effect on thyroglobulin antibodies remains weak and inconsistent.
Where this fits in the evidence
Pillser has synthesized 4 studies on Selenium for Reduced Thyroglobulin Antibody Level — overall evidence strength: Low.
Across 4 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects of selenium supplementation on reducing thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) levels, while 2 reported neutral effects; effect sizes were predominantly small to moderate. The evidence is mixed, with one meta-analysis showing a moderate beneficial effect at 3 months but not at 6 months, and another large meta-analysis finding no significant change. Most studies focused on patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis (clinical population), and the median study duration was 182 days (6 months) in the single study reporting duration, though effects were observed at 3 months in one analysis.
The study
- Meta-Analysis
- n = 1,610
- 2025-08-29
- Medicine
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.