I just spoke to a Rheumatologist about this today. He states that since Hashi's is an autoimmune process, other autoimmune processes can occur and overlap. One of the overlapping is autoimmune alopecia (hairloss). So not only do our thyroid hormones cause hairloss, we may be more at risk for developing the autoimmune alopecia! Interesting, but it doesn't help my shower drain from clogging!
I don't know what the exact cause of hair loss is that is related to thyroid problems.
I posted something about Selenium on this board yesterday, which is why I am responding to your question. I have been told by several doctors, including two Endo's, that there is nothing to be done about one's antibody level.
Then I read on a site that people with low selenium and high antibodies can benefit from treatment for their low selenium. In some cases it lowered the antibody count significantly.
But...I read it on the internet. Who knows if it is true or not.
I asked my GP about selenium today. He said Selenium tests are expensive because they are rarely run. Usually only people who are suspected of being exposed to conditions that may elevate their selenium count too high are tested. He mentioned heavy metal poisoning.
I told him what I had read, where I had read it, and told him I might want to be tested next year after I have bigger problems solved. He didn't say he wouldn't run the test, but I could tell he wasn't in a big hurry to see what my level was.
So, I don't know. I know sick people will grasp for any straw that has "hope" written on it. I know doctors don't always have the right answers and linking Selenium to antibody titres is outside the realm of what they consider established medical fact.
Every "medical journal" type article I have ever read says antibody count is what it is and not much can be done to change it.
It is the "fringe" sites that provide information suggesting selenium may play a part in antibody levels.
It may work, but it has not been established and accepted by the medical community that it will work.
Gray area. May be worth persuing, may be quackery.