The association of selenium status with thyroid hormones and anthropometric values in dyslipidemic patients

Background: Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient that performs physiological functions in the metabolism of thyroid hormone and may have an association with anthropometric variables relevant to cardiovascular disease. Aim: To study the associations between Se status, thyroid hormones and anthropometric variables in dyslipidemic patients.Methods: Eighty-three patients were assessed in a cross-sectional study. Blood samples were analyzed for Se and thyroid hormones. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and dietary Se intake was investigated. Results: Mean plasma Se concentrations were low in the patients, at 88.7 +/- 16.7 mu g/L. Patients with plasma Se >= 95 mu g/L were found to have a higher body mass index (BMI) (30.74 +/- 4.31 vs 27.68 +/- 5.63 kg/m(2), P = 0.02) and waist-to-height ratio (0.65 +/- 0.05 vs 0.59 +/- 0.07, P = 0.003) when compared to those with concentrations between 80 and 94 mu g/L. Se intake associated positively with T3L/T4L ratio (r = 0.273; P = 0.03), BMI (r= 0.257, P= 0.04) and WC (r= 0.299, P= 0.02). Conclusion: The patients with the highest normal plasma Se concentrations were found to have increases in the anthropometric variables we investigated. There is a need for further study in order to elucidate these findings. Furthermore, we found a positive association between Se intake and the most metabolically active form of the thyroid hormones.