Hashimoto's and selenium supplementation

[Guest guest]

I've been ignoring my Hashimoto's way too long...how many of us have

this autoimmune disease? I feel so good anymore that I rarely think

about it, but long term, I probably need to. Selenium

supplementation sounds like it could be in order for any of us with

autoimmune symptoms.

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/newsinfo/l/blselenium.htm

Selenium Supplementation in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Decreases Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies Concentrations

by J. Shomon

October, 2002 -- German researchers have found that in areas with

severe selenium deficiency, there is a higher incidence of

thyroiditis due to a reduction in the activity of selenium-dependent

glutathione peroxidase in thyroid cells. Selenium-dependent enzymes

also have a number of effects on the immune system, and selenium

deficiency can contribute to the development and continuation of

autoimmune thyroid diseases. In the study, patients received 200

micrograms of sodium selenite supplements over three months. Thyroid

antibody levels decreased by as much as 40 to 63%, and a small

percentage of patients in the selenium-treated group had antibody

levels that completely returned to normal. The researchers concluded

that selenium supplementation may reduce inflammation in patients

with autoimmune thyroiditis. Source: The Journal of Clinical

Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol. 87, No. 4 1490-1498