The Effect of Selenomethionine on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Euthyroid Men With Hashimoto Thyroiditis and Testosterone Deficiency

Abstract

Hashimoto (autoimmune) thyroiditis develops much less frequently in men than in women, suggesting that androgens have a protective effect against thyroid autoimmunity. The current study was aimed at investigating whether the effect of selenomethionine on thyroid antibody titers and thyroid function tests in euthyroid men with autoimmune thyroid disease depends on testosterone levels. The study population consisted of 2 age‐matched, weight‐matched, and thyroid antibody titer–matched groups of euthyroid men with Hashimoto thyroiditis and testosterone deficiency: 18 patients receiving intramuscular testosterone enanthate (100 mg once weekly) and 19 testosterone‐naive men. All subjects were than treated with selenomethionine (200 µg daily) for 6 months. Serum titers of thyroid antibodies, thyrotropin, free thyroid hormones, and testosterone as well as calculated parameters of thyroid homeostasis were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. At baseline, except for testosterone, there were no differences between the 2 treatment arms in thyroid antibody titers, serum hormone levels, or values of all calculated indices. Although selenomethionine reduced thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibody titers in both treatment arms, these effects were stronger in testosterone‐treated than in testosterone‐untreated men. Only in men receiving testosterone, selenomethionine altered the free thyroxine/free triiodothyronine ratio, testosterone levels, and structure parameter interference approach‐GT and structure parameter interference approach‐GD. Selenomethionine‐induced changes in thyroid antibody titers correlated with the effect of treatment on structure parameter interference approach‐GT and testosterone. The obtained results suggest that testosterone determines the strength of selenomethionine action in euthyroid men with autoimmune thyroiditis.

Seleno-Metabolites and Their Precursors: A New Dawn for Several Illnesses?

“…In view of the former, further research is required to assess and clarify the efficacy and safety of Se supplementation in pregnancy to avoid adverse events. On the other hand, the effect of SeMet on the evolution of HT has been addressed in multiple publications, but its exact benefit and underlying immunological mechanism remain unclear [5,226,[248][249][250]. Data obtained from the SETI study indicate that short-term supplementation with SeMet resulted in a normalization of the TSH levels in 50% of the patients that presented subclinical hypothyroidism related to chronic AITDs.…”

Selenomethionine Alleviates Intestinal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Mitochondrion-mediated Apoptosis in Mice 

“…Seleniummethionine (SeMet) is an organic selenium compound, and SeMet is often used to treat Se de ciency due to its low toxicity and easy absorption. SeMet has been found to have a variety of biological activities, including strengthening the immune system and improving antioxidant performance 10 . SeMet can reduce oxidative stress.…”

Baseline testosterone level may modulate statin efficacy

“…However, recent studies showed that the pleiotropic effects of statins were contingent on normal thyroid hormone [2], prolactin [3,4] and vitamin D status [5], suggesting that hormone level irregularities may contribute to a dampened effect of statins on cardiometabolic risk factors. Patients with hypothyroidism or hyperprolactinemia on atorvastatin had smaller decreases in total and LDL cholesterol levels and a less pronounced decline in high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), homocysteine, fibrinogen and uric acid levels when compared to their counterparts with normal thyroid hormone and prolactin levels [2,3]. Furthermore, patients with hypothyroidism were shown to have increased risk of statin-induced myopathy, possibly due to decreased cholesterol synthesis causing skeletal myocyte membrane instability [6].…”

“…Earlier studies have demonstrated that statins provide a wide array of beneficial pleiotropic effects, including anti-inflammatory properties and endothelial-protective effects [1]. However, recent studies showed that the pleiotropic effects of statins were contingent on normal thyroid hormone [2], prolactin [3,4] and vitamin D status [5], suggesting that hormone level irregularities may contribute to a dampened effect of statins on cardiometabolic risk factors. Patients with hypothyroidism or hyperprolactinemia on atorvastatin had smaller decreases in total and LDL cholesterol levels and a less pronounced decline in high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), homocysteine, fibrinogen and uric acid levels when compared to their counterparts with normal thyroid hormone and prolactin levels [2,3].…”