Low Selenium and low fT3

[jimh111]

This study pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/331... shows that low selenium is associated with reduced fT3 and increased TPO antibodies. We know this already but the interesting feature is that TSH seemed to be unaffected in this cohort. Since selenium deficiency reduces deiodinase, especially type-2 deiodinase (D2) we would expect it to reduce D2 in the pituitary and thus drive up TSH. This study suggests that marginal selenium deficiency might affect peripheral deiodinase without it being reflected in TSH levels.

The full paper is behind a paywall and not available on Sci Hub yet. We need to see the full study to see to what extent fT3 is affected and whether it matters in real life.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

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[jimh111]

This was just for info. I will have to try and get the full paper from the British Library sometime. I've always advised people that if they have selenium deficiency it will affect deiodinase in the pituitary as well as peripheral TSH but this study seems to suggest otherwise. I'd forgotten about it so will try and revisit it in a few months' time when it's easier to wander around the library (and coffee shops) without pre-booking.