title: Influence of short-term selenium supplementation on the natural course of Hashimoto's thyroiditis: clinical results of a blinded placebo-controlled randomized prospective trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The real efficacy of selenium supplementation in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is still an unresolved issue.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We studied the short-term effect of L-selenomethionine on the thyroid function in euthyroid patients with HT. Our primary outcome measures were TSH, thyroid hormones, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) levels and thyroid echogenicity after 6 months of L-selenomethionine treatment. The secondary outcome measure was serum CXCL10 levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a placebo-controlled randomized prospective study, we have enrolled untreated euthyroid patients with HT. Seventy-six patients were randomly assigned to receive L-selenomethionine 166 µg/die (SE n = 38) or placebo (controls n = 38) for 6 months. TSH, free T4(FT4), free T3(FT3), TPOAb and CXCL10 serum levels were assayed at time 0, after 3 and 6 months. An ultrasound examination of the left and right thyroid lobe in transverse and longitudinal sections was performed. A rectangular region, the region of interest, was selected for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TSH, FT4, FT3, TPOAb, thyroid echogenicity and CXCL10 were not statistically different between SE and control groups at time 0, after 3 and 6 months. In the SE group, FT4levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.03) after 3 months, while FT3increased (P < 0.04) after 3 and 6 months versus baseline values. In the control group, the FT3decreased after 3 and 6 months (P < 0.02) compared to baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The short-term L-selenomethionine supplementation has a limited impact on the natural course in euthyroid HT. Our results tip the balance toward the ineffectiveness of short-term L-selenomethionine supplementation in HT.
authors: Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, Second University of Naples, Piazza Miraglia n 2, 80100, Naples, Italy.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Esposito
authors: Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri IRCCS, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Rotondi
authors: Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, Second University of Naples, Piazza Miraglia n 2, 80100, Naples, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Accardo
authors: Department of Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Vallone
authors: Division of General and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical and Emergency Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Conzo
authors: Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, Second University of Naples, Piazza Miraglia n 2, 80100, Naples, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Docimo
authors: Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, Second University of Naples, Piazza Miraglia n 2, 80100, Naples, Italy.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Selvaggi
authors: Endocrine and Metabolic Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Clinica Medica, 2nd Medicina, University of Brescia, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Cappelli
authors: Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri IRCCS, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Chiovato
authors: Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, Second University of Naples, Piazza Miraglia n 2, 80100, Naples, Italy.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Giugliano
authors: Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, Second University of Naples, Piazza Miraglia n 2, 80100, Naples, Italy. daniela.pasquali@unina2.it.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Pasquali
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D050031:Hashimoto Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D012643:Selenium
keywords: 1-selenomethionine; CXCL 10 levels; Hashimoto's thyroiditis; Thyroid echogenicity; Thyroid function