Men's Health Women's Health Senior's Health Antioxidants Sports Nutrition Diet & Weight Loss Vitamins & Minerals Herbs Specialty Supplements Targeted Supplements Spa Products Anti-Aging Basics Body Systems Body Structure Book Store Pet Health My Recommendation My Favorite Articles Our Most Popular Specials Bargain Basement Brands Free Samples

MSM

Health News Archive 722 - Hypothyroidism
<<back to structure/function index

Selenium Supplementation Prevents Postpartum Hypothyroidism

One hundred fifty-one pregnant women (mean age, 28 years) who were positive for thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies were randomly assigned to receive, in single-blind fashion, 200 mcg/day of selenium (as selenomethionine) or placebo, beginning after 12 weeks of gestation (mean, 12.7 weeks) and continuing until 12 months after delivery. In the selenium group, as compared with the placebo group, the mean TPO antibody level fell to a significantly greater extent during, pregnancy (-62% vs. -44%; p < 0.01) and was significantly lower in the postpartum period (323 vs. 621 kIU/L; p < 0.01). Postpartum thyroid dysfunction (28.6% vs. 48.6% of patients; p < 0.01) and permanent hypothyroidism (11.7% vs. 20.3% of patients; p < 0.01) occurred significantly less frequently in the selenium group than in the placebo group.

Comment by Alan Gaby, M.D.:

Pregnant women who are positive for thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies are at high risk of developing postpartum thyroid dysfunction and permanent hypothyroidism. In previous studies, selenium supplementation decreased thyroid inflammation in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. The results of the present study indicate that selenium supplementation during pregnancy and in the postpartum period decreased thyroid inflammation and the incidence of hypothyroidism in women with TPO antibodies.

Source: Negro R, et al. The influence of selenium supplementation on postpartum thyroid status in pregnant women with thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92:1263-1268.

Reprinted with exclusive permission from The Townsend Letter, October 2007

back to top