Association of selenium with thyroid volume and echostructure in 35- to 60-year-old French adults.

TLDR: The findings suggest that selenium may protect against goiter, and Selenium was related to thyroid echostructure, suggesting it may also protect against autoimmune thyroid disease.

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the relationship between selenium status, thyroid volume and gland echostructure. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: In 792 men (45 – 60 years) and 1108 women (35 – 60 years) from the SU.VI.MAX study, thyroid volume and gland echostructure were determined ultrasonographically. At baseline, thyrotropin, free thyroxine, selenium, zinc, a-tocopherol, b-carotene, retinol, urinary iodine and thiocyanate concentrations were measured. Alcohol consumption, smoking, and menopausal status were assessed by a questionnaire. A stepwise linear and a logistic regression model were used, adjusting for antioxidant vitamins, trace elements status and age. Results: In women, there was an inverse association between selenium status and thyroid volume ðP ¼ 0:003Þ: A protective effect of selenium against goiter (odds ratio ðOR Þ¼ 0:07; 95% confidence interval ðCI Þ¼ 0:008 – 0:6) and thyroid tissue damage ðOR ¼ 0:2; 95% CI ¼ 0:06 – 0:7Þ was observed. There was no evidence of an association between menopausal status and other antioxidant elements, thyroid volume or thyroid hypoechogenicity. Smoking, but not alcohol consumption, was associated with an increased risk of thyroid enlargement in women ðOR ¼ 3:94; 95% CI ¼ 1:64 – 9:48Þ: No association between thyroid volume, thyroid structure or selenium was found in men. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that selenium may protect against goiter. Selenium was related to thyroid echostructure, suggesting it may also protect against autoimmune thyroid disease.