Selenium is one of the essential elements that are important and necessary for human health. Its main source is seafood, eggs, bread, cereals and dairy products in the diet. It shows its effect through the selenoproteins in its structure. Selenium is found in high concentration in the normal thyroid gland. It is found in the structure of the enzyme in the thyroid gland, which is responsible for detoxifying toxic oxygen derivatives such as H2O2.
Although the use of selenium reduces autoantibodies, there is no data that it prevents the progression to hypothyroidism and its routine use is not recommended.
Smoking (containing thiocyanate), natural goitrogens, selenium or zinc deficiency, emotional stress, oxidative stress, endocrine disruptors, dyshormonogenesis, some drugs (lithium), infections and genetic factors are also important in goiter formation.
Selenium deficiency accumulates peroxides in the thyroid gland and impairs thyroid hormone synthesis.
Selenium may reduce inflammatory activity in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. In a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, mild selenium-deficient study in mild ophthalmopathy of the graves, 100 μg selenium treatment given twice a day for six months resulted in improvement in ocular findings and improved quality of life. Its effect on patients with ophthalmopathy of the graves living in areas without selenium deficiency is unknown.
Excess amount can have a toxic effect. There are cases when it causes poisoning. Do not use selenium without your doctor's advice, except for specific indications.
Prof. Dr. Ayşe ÇARLIOĞLU Internal Medicine - Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism Diseases