Volume 30, Issue 173, July 2026

Selenium supplementation in thyroid disorders: a comprehensive review

Martyna Sarzyńska^1♦, Mateusz Szabat², Sylwia Lepak¹, Zuzanna Irzyk¹, Dominika Ruszel¹, Emilia Goc¹, Julia Rogała¹, Katarzyna Markuszka¹, Kinga Polityńska¹, Klaudia Samuła¹

¹Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
²Clinical Provincial Hospital No. 2 in Rzeszów, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Martyna Sarzyńska, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland

ABSTRACT

Selenium is an essential trace element that plays a key role in thyroid hormone metabolism and antioxidant protection. Among all organs, the thyroid gland has one of the highest selenium concentrations, reflecting the important role of this trace element in thyroid physiology. This review examines recent research on selenium supplements for thyroid diseases, with a focus on autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, and Graves’ ophthalmopathy. The literature review covers studies from the past 10 years found in PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, using keywords such as “selenium supplementation,” “thyroid diseases,” “Graves’ disease,” “Hashimoto’s,” “Graves’ ophthalmopathy,” and “autoimmune thyroid diseases.” Research shows that selenium supplementation can lower thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, especially after six months. It also benefits people with Graves’ disease by boosting quality of life and clinical outcomes. However, there is still uncertainty about the best treatment duration, dosing, and which patients benefit most. Selenomethionine seems to be the most effective form. Selenium supplementation is generally safe, but too much can cause selenosis. This review synthesizes recent findings to provide practical recommendations for selenium use in thyroid diseases and identifies areas requiring further investigation.

Keywords: selenium supplementation, selenium, thyroid diseases, autoimmune thyroiditis, selenoproteins

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e123ms3866

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Published: 15 July 2026