Thyroid Autoimmunity and Selenium

This study shows how important selenium is for thyroid function.

For those who don't know what TPO (Thyroid PerOxidase)antibodies are an autoimmune attack on the thyroid.

Euthyroid is the state of having normal thyroid gland function.

Regarding TPO antibodies, we suggest that selenium
substitution may have a role that can be ascertained
via a randomized clinical trial. Selenium, a trace
element also called the 21st amino acid, is essential
in thyroid hormone synthesis because several enzymes
involved are selenoproteins (35). Selenium also plays a
role in the immune system, and in the coagulation
system (36, 37). Selenium substitution decreased TPO
antibody levels in euthyroid subjects (and increased
quality of life) in a recent double-blind randomized
clinical trial (37). It also decreased TPO antibody
levels in hypothyroid patients treated with T4 substitution
in another trial (38).

http://www.eje-online.org/content/150/6/751.full.pdf