Severity of hypothyroidism is inversely associated with impaired quality of life in patients referred to an endocrine clinic.

Purpose: We investigated the association between health-related quality of life (HRQL) and the severity of hypothyroidism at diagnosis in patients referred to a secondary hospital clinic.

Methods: Sixty-seven adult patients referred from primary care were enrolled. All patients had newly diagnosed hypothyroidism due to autoimmune thyroiditis and were treated with levothyroxine (LT4).

Treatment of Hyperthyroidism Reduces Systemic Oxidative Stress, as Measured by Markers of RNA and DNA Damage.

Background: Whole-body oxidative stress can be estimated by the urine excretion of oxidized guanosine species, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoGuo) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), derived from RNA and DNA, respectively. These oxidative stress markers are not well explored in thyroid disorders.

Objective: We aimed to determine whether treatment of hyperthyroid patients affects the levels of these oxidative stress markers.

Consequences of Hyperthyroidism and Its Treatment for Bone Microarchitecture Assessed by High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography.

Hyperthyroidism is associated with bone mass reduction and increased fracture risk, but the effects on other important bone parameters have been sparsely examined. Therefore, we investigated bone microarchitecture and estimated bone strength by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in hyperthyroid patients at diagnosis and after being euthyroid for at least one year. Two approaches were used: (A) a case-control study comparing 61 hyperthyroid women with 61 euthyroid women matched for age and menopause status; (B) a follow-up study, in which 46 of the 61 women were re-examined after having been euthyroid for one year.

Restoration of euthyroidism in women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis changes bone microarchitecture but not estimated bone strength.

Purpose: Fracture risk in hypothyroid patients is debated, and since the effects of hypothyroidism on bone microarchitecture and strength are unclarified, we investigated these characteristics by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).

Methods: Two approaches were used: a cross-sectional control study, comparing 32 hypothyroid women (mean age; 47 ± 12 years) suffering from Hashimoto's thyroiditis with 32 sex-, age-, and menopause-matched healthy controls; a prospective study, where 27 of the women were reexamined 1 year after restoration of euthyroidism. HR-pQCT of the distal radius and tibia, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the spine and hip were performed.

A 2018 European Thyroid Association Survey on the Use of Selenium Supplementation in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

Objective: To investigate clinical practice regarding the use of selenium supplementation in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) among members of the European Thyroid Association (ETA).

Methods: ETA members were invited to participate in an online survey investigating the use of selenium supplementation across the spectrum of benign thyroid diseases. Of 872 invited members, 242 (28%) completed the survey.

Selenium in thyroid disorders - essential knowledge for clinicians.

In the 1990s, selenium was identified as a component of an enzyme that activates thyroid hormone; since this discovery, the relevance of selenium to thyroid health has been widely studied. Selenium, known primarily for the antioxidant properties of selenoenzymes, is obtained mainly from meat, seafood and grains. Intake levels vary across the world owing largely to differences in soil content and factors affecting its bioavailability to plants.

A 2018 European Thyroid Association Survey on the Use of Selenium Supplementation in Graves' Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Orbitopathy.

Objective: Selenium (Se) supplementation has been suggested in the treatment of Graves' disease (GD). We sought to investigate Se prescription patterns for GD across European countries.

Methods: Members of the European Thyroid Association were invited to participate in an online survey investigating the use of Se in GD either without or with orbitopathy (GO).

Effect of selenium supplementation on changes in HbA1c: Results from a multiple-dose, randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To investigate the effect of selenium supplementation at different dose levels on changes in HbA1c after 6 months and 2 years in a population of low selenium status.

Materials And Methods: The Denmark PRECISE study was a single-centre, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multi-arm, parallel clinical trial with four groups. In total, 491 volunteers aged 60 to 74 years were randomly assigned to treatment with 100, 200 or 300 μg selenium/day as selenium-enriched yeast or placebo-yeast.

Association of apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms with blood lipids and their interaction with dietary factors.

Background: Several candidate genes have been identified in relation to lipid metabolism, and among these, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene polymorphisms are major sources of genetically determined variation in lipid concentrations. This study investigated the association of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at LPL, seven tagging SNPs at the APOE gene, and a common APOE haplotype (two SNPs) with blood lipids, and examined the interaction of these SNPs with dietary factors.

Methods: The population studied for this investigation included 660 individuals from the Prevention of Cancer by Intervention with Selenium (PRECISE) study who supplied baseline data.

Effect of long-term selenium supplementation on mortality: Results from a multiple-dose, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Selenium, an essential trace element, is incorporated into selenoproteins with a wide range of health effects. Selenoproteins may reach repletion at a plasma selenium concentration of ~ 125 µg/L, at which point the concentration of selenoprotein P reaches a plateau; whether sustained concentrations higher than this are beneficial, or indeed detrimental, is unknown.

Objective: In a population of relatively low selenium status, we aimed to determine the effect on mortality of long-term selenium supplementation at different dose levels.

Is selenium supplementation in autoimmune thyroid diseases justified?

Purpose Of Review: This review provides an appraisal of recent evidence for or against selenium supplementation in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, and discusses possible effect mechanisms.

Recent Findings: Epidemiological data suggest an increased prevalence of autoimmune thyroid diseases under conditions of low dietary selenium intake. Two systematic reviews have evaluated controlled trials among patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and report that selenium supplementation decreases circulating thyroid autoantibodies.

Selenium Supplementation Significantly Reduces Thyroid Autoantibody Levels in Patients with Chronic Autoimmune Thyroiditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Selenium supplementation may decrease circulating thyroid autoantibodies in patients with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), but the available trials are heterogenous. This study expands and critically reappraises the knowledge on this topic.

Methods: A literature search identified 3366 records.

Respiratory Manifestations of Hypothyroidism: A Systematic Review.

Background: Hypothyroidism has been associated with increased pulmonary morbidity and overall mortality. A systematic review was conducted to identify the prevalence and underlying mechanisms of respiratory problems among patients with thyroid insufficiency.

Methods: PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant literature from January 1950 through January 2015 with the following study eligibility criteria: English-language publications; adult subclinical or overt hypothyroid patients; intervention, observational, or retrospective studies; and respiratory manifestations.

Insufficient documentation for clinical efficacy of selenium supplementation in chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis.

By a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate clinically relevant effects of selenium supplementation in patients with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis. Controlled trials in adults (≥18 years) with autoimmune thyroiditis, comparing selenium with or without levothyroxine substitution, versus placebo and/or levothyroxine substitution, were eligible for inclusion. Identified outcomes were serum thyrotropin (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels in LT4-untreated patients, thyroid ultrasound and health-related quality of life.

Quality-of-Life Impairments Persist Six Months After Treatment of Graves' Hyperthyroidism and Toxic Nodular Goiter: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: The treatment of hyperthyroidism is aimed at improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and reducing morbidity and mortality. However, few studies have used validated questionnaires to assess HRQoL prospectively in such patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of hyperthyroidism and its treatment on HRQoL using validated disease-specific and generic questionnaires.

Disease-Specific as Well as Generic Quality of Life Is Widely Impacted in Autoimmune Hypothyroidism and Improves during the First Six Months of Levothyroxine Therapy.

Background: Hypothyroidism is often diagnosed, and subsequently treated, due to health-related quality of life (HRQL) issues. However, HRQL following treatment has never previously been assessed in longitudinal descriptive studies using validated instruments.

Objective: To investigate disease-specific (ThyPRO) and generic (SF-36) HRQL, following levothyroxine therapy in patients with hypothyroidism due to autoimmune thyroiditis.

Randomised controlled trial of the effect of long-term selenium supplementation on plasma cholesterol in an elderly Danish population.

Although cross-sectional studies have shown a positive association between Se and cholesterol concentrations, a recent randomised controlled trial in 501 elderly UK individuals of relatively low-Se status found that Se supplementation for 6 months lowered total plasma cholesterol. The Danish PRECISE (PREvention of Cancer by Intervention with Selenium) pilot study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01819649) was a 5-year randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with four groups (allocation ratio 1:1:1:1).

Development of a Short Version of the Thyroid-Related Patient-Reported Outcome ThyPRO.

Background: Thyroid diseases affect quality of life (QoL). The Thyroid-Related Patient-Reported Outcome (ThyPRO) is an international comprehensive well-validated patient-reported outcome, measuring thyroid-related QoL. The current version is rather long--85 items.

Does selenium supplementation affect thyroid function? Results from a randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial in a Danish population.

Objective: Selenium is present in the active site of proteins important for thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of selenium supplementation in different doses on thyroid function, under conditions of suboptimal dietary selenium intake.

Design: The Danish PREvention of Cancer by Intervention with SElenium pilot study (DK-PRECISE) is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

The chronic autoimmune thyroiditis quality of life selenium trial (CATALYST): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Patients with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis have impaired health-related quality of life. The thyroid gland has a high selenium concentration, and specific selenoprotein enzyme families are crucial to immune function, and catalyze thyroid hormone metabolism and redox processes in thyroid cells. Previous randomized controlled trials have found that selenium supplementation decreases thyroid-disease-specific antibody levels.