Role of microelements in the development of endocrine pathology

Due to the continual increase in the incidence of endocrine diseases in the world, their prevention and treatment have become topical. Diseases of the endocrine system are often accompanied by the development of comorbidities and complications, which negatively affect the quality of life and survival of patients. Currently, research is focused on the status of trace elements in patients with various diseases. Numerous current studies are devoted to investigating the influence of the balance of trace elements on the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, obesity, and some thyroid diseases, including autoimmune ones. The role of iodine, selenium, iron, zinc, and copper in the development and progression of these diseases has been established, but the findings of these studies are sometimes contradictory. 
This review focuses on national and foreign studies on the role of trace elements in the development of endocrine pathology, and gives a brief description of the most significant mineral substances, as well as the effect of their imbalance on the structure and function of the organs of the endocrine system. This review recommends further studies on this issue incorporating concomitant diseases, as well as the mutual influences of mineral substances on each other, which can lead to a change in the concentration of trace elements in the body.