Title:Selenium and Iodine in Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Volume: 15
Issue: 4
Author(s): Edoardo Guastamacchia, Vito Angelo Giagulli, Brunella Licchelli and Vincenzo Triggiani
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Autoimmune thyroid disorders, autoimmune thyroiditis, iodine intake, selenium intake, selenoproteins.
Abstract: Selenium and iodine are essential for thyroid hormone synthesis and function. Selenium,
in form of selenocysteine, is found either in the catalytic center of enzymes involved in the protection
of the thyroid gland from free radicals originating during thyroid hormone synthesis, and in three
different iodothyronine deiodinases catalyzing the activation and the inactivation of thyroid
hormones. Iodine is an essential constituent of thyroid hormones and its deficiency causes different
disorders that include goiter, hypothyroidism, reduced fertility and alteration in growth, physical and
neurological development. These two micronutrients could be involved in the pathogenesis of
autoimmune thyroid diseases, a spectrum of pathological conditions including Hashimoto’s thryoiditis, post-partum
thyroiditis, the so-called painless thyroiditis, Graves’ disease and Graves’ ophtalmopathy. Aim of this paper is to review the
role played by selenium and iodine in autoimmune thyroiditis.
