Thursday Sep 18, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new report reminds doctors and patients that selenium supplementation may help an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis - the most commonly seen thyroid disorders in the U.S.

The report says Hashimoto's thyroiditis often leads to hypothyroidism and patients often have elevated levels of anti TPO antibodies which have an effect on subsequent thyroid damage.  TPO stands for thyroid peroxidase.   Antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and/or thyroglobulin can cause gradual destruction of follicles in the thyroid gland.

No effective treatment exists and it has been known though that selenium supplementation to overcome selenium deficiency is linked to inhibition of production of anti-TPO antibodies in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

The authors claim that "selenium supplementation may be an effective option in the treatment of this disease."  (David Liu, PHD)

Zagrodzki P, Kryczyk J.  The importance of selenium in Hashimoto's disease.  Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2014 Sep 12;68:1129-37.