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Clinical efficacy of selenium supplementation in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

  • 2025-08-29
  • Medicine 104(35)
    • Heng Zhang
    • Yunkai Yang
    • Shaohua Liu
    • Yang Yang
    • Zhelong Liu

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Sample size
n = 1,610
Population
patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT)
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials; eight databases searched
Funding
Unclear

Background

To assess the clinical benefits of Selenium (Se) supplementation in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT).

Methods

Eight databases were searched for randomized controlled trials. The outcomes of interest were thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4). The study protocol is registered on INPLASY, DOI number is 10.37766/inplasy2022.10.0085.

Results

Twenty-one studies with a total of 1610 subjects were included. Serum TPOAb was significantly reduced after Se supplementation after 3 months (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.46, 95% confidence interval to -0.18, P = .001) and 6 months (SMD = -0.80, 95%CI: -1.38 to -0.21, P = .008). The serum TgAb levels decreased at 3 months (SMD = -0.46, 95%CI: -0.79 to -0.12, P = .007) but not at 6 months. Significant effects on declining the TSH titers were found after 6 months (SMD = -0.18, 95%CI = -0.35 to -0.01; P = .03).

Conclusion

Se supplementation help reduce TPOAb and TSH levels in HT patients, leading to improvements in well-being or mood. Selenomethionine is more effective than NaSe and Se-yeast in the teatment of Hashimoto thyroid.

Research Insights

  • Selenium→Increased Serum Free Thyroxine Levels

    Significant effects on declining the TSH titers were found after 6 months (SMD = -0.18, 95%CI = -0.35 to -0.01; P = .03).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Selenium→Reduced Thyroglobulin Antibody Level

    The serum TgAb levels decreased at 3 months (SMD = -0.46, 95%CI: -0.79 to -0.12, P = .007) but not at 6 months.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Selenium→Reduced Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody Level

    Serum TPOAb was significantly reduced after Se supplementation after 3 months (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.74 to -0.18, P = .001) and 6 months (SMD = -0.80, 95%CI: -1.38 to -0.21, P = .008).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
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