T3, Selenium, Potassium?

I started T3 about a week ago Is it still necessary to take Selenium and/or Potassium?

Thanks!

[Hidden]

Yosay,

Selenium supplementation reduces inflammation and damage to thyroid tissue, lowers thyroid antibody levels in the blood, and improves the conversion of T4 to T3.

I supplement 100 mcg selenium and medicate T4 & T3.

I wouldn't supplement potassium unless tested as deficient as it needs to be kept in balance with sodium. Natural sea salt is an excellent source of both sodium and potassium, along with other minerals.

Flower

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

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[clemenzina in reply to Hidden]

For selenium, I eat 3 brazil nuts per day in my muesli. Unscientific dosage!

[BadHare in reply to clemenzina]

I overdose on 6-8 a day. Nom, nom...

[clemenzina in reply to BadHare]

I read somewhere that one is enough and that it is easy to overdose via brazils, but that was for "normal" people.

[BadHare in reply to clemenzina]

I eat about 50-75g of nuts a day, for nutritional purpose. I was joking about an overdose! I've never read anywhere that nut intake should be limited, unless someone's on a weight loss diet.

[BadHare in reply to BadHare]

This is all I could find, suggesting no more that 2 a day, but I wonder if this applies to hypos, who need it?

books.google.co.uk/books?id...

[BadHare in reply to BadHare]

This is Helvella's selenium info, from another post:

dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u...

Seems I need to cut down to 5 or 6. >

[Hidden in reply to BadHare]

I can really only handle 1 supplement a day.

[conniemeg in reply to BadHare]

I have to restrict nut intake, to limit my overall phosphorus intake, in order to help with fibromyalgia. I can still eat nuts, but not unlimited amounts. Restricting my phosphorus intake (mostly dairy, rice and potatoes) has made my unbearable fibromyalgia barely noticeable. See the book "What your doctor doesn't tell you about Fibromyalgia." Interestingly, it is written by a doctor. lol!

[BadHare in reply to conniemeg]

Hi Conniemeg,

I'd been vegan, on & off for years, & couldn't eat rice, potatoes, bread, or pasta, due to weight gain, before I started taking NDT. It made no difference to my FM symptoms. Now I'm less fatigued, & suffer with less burning sensation at night. I've doubled my nut intake, which has also helped with digestive issues from taking iron.

Mel

[conniemeg in reply to BadHare]

After I read the book, I looked up every item I wanted to eat, and checked the phosphorus level first. I found dairy was the worst offender, as well as rice and potatoes. All the proteins were up there, but fish was the highest. So I cut out rice, potatoes and dairy, and reduced the size of my fish portion. Night and day difference. My Fibromyalgia was barely noticeable. When the holidays come around, I eat some cheese, because it's at every party and I miss it, but my joints ache when I do...

[BadHare in reply to conniemeg]

Good that you know what helps you.

I put on more weight, & felt more sluggish when I avoided dairy products, & feel better for introducing it back in my diet, though mainly fermented milk & certain cheeses. I drink kefir every day for B12, which I was definitely deficient in, & also vitamin K.

[Hidden in reply to BadHare]

Lol

[Taminaone in reply to clemenzina]

Clemenzina , the Selenium posts came timely for me. I had been thinking perhaps I should suppement with it along with my other supplements. I have Just found a website ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/S... where if you scroll right down to 'thyroid' para and then to 'Health Risks From Excessive Selenium' it says too many Brazil nuts can cause selenium toxicity. So, 5 a day which somebody was taking would seem an awful lot. So question is how many a day is correct! I suppose the answer is it depends on the person!! Maybe it is better to get a supplement instead.

(I keep saying this to myself - this forum is absolutely marvellous, what would we do without it)

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[docbernie]

Selenium is a vital mineral for the thyroid, especially for Hashimotos as it has been shown to reduce thyroid antibodies. Selenium is needed for healthy liver tissue, it potentiates the action of vitamin E and helps with the production of CoQ10, it is required for prostaglandin production which helps to support hormone balance.

Selenium helps maintain the health of the eyes, skin and hair,is an essential component of the antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase.

I recommend L-Selenomethionine, a source of yeast-free selenium, the easiest absorbable form and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans,200mcgm daily

It is not normally necessary to supplement with potassium unless you have high BP or are taking diuretics or have a health conditions that affect your digestive absorption, such as Crohn's disease. Try to include these potassium containing foods in your diet:

Bananas, avocados, nuts, like almonds and peanuts, citrus fruits,leafy, green vegetables, potatoes

Keep in mind that some types of cooking, such as boiling, can destroy the potassium in some foods.

[BadHare in reply to docbernie]

Some leafy green (cruciferous) vegetables should be cooked for hypothyroid people.

I'll carry on preferring nuts to pills, for protein & other nutrients.

[docbernie in reply to BadHare]

Yes but lightly steamed or stir-fried not boiled

If you rely on Brazil nuts for selenium, you will not know what dosage you are getting or what kind of soil in which that Brazil nut has been cultivated-it is much better to take a well absorbed selenomethionine supplement to get a precise dosage. as selenium is so important for Hashi patients

[BadHare in reply to docbernie]

I see your point, Docbernie, but then I won't get other nutrients, healthy oils, & protein, unless I take more pills, & I prefer real food. Even if I cut down to 6 small or 4 medium brazil nuts a day, I'm getting as much selenium as I need, plus all the added benefits in the list of nutrients, below.

I strongly believe foods from a natural source are better absorbed by my body than synthetic versions, hence taking NDT. I only take a supplements if there's something I know I'm not eating enough of.

130g Brazils, approximately 30 small/medium nuts.

Vitamins

Amounts Per Selected Serving

Vitamin C 0.9mg 2%

Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) 7.6 mg 38%

Thiamin 0.8mg 55%

Riboflavin 0.0 mg 3%

Niacin 0.4 mg 2%

Vitamin B6 0.1 mg 7%

Folate 29.3 mcg 7%

Pantothenic Acid 0.2mg 2%

Choline 38.3mg

Betaine 0.5mg

Minerals

Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV

Calcium 213mg 21%

Iron 3.2mg 18%

Magnesium 500mg 125%

Phosphorus 964mg 96%

Potassium 876 mg 25%

Zinc 5.4 mg 36%

Copper 2.3mg 116%

Manganese 1.6 mg 81%

Selenium 2550 mcg 3643%

[Heloise in reply to BadHare]

Hmmm, I found this on one website and have to say I am a little surprised that it may be possible to ingest too much selenium although we know that what we eat and what we "use" may be quite different. I've read we only absorb 10% of the supplements we take. I still think you would to eat them daily for a long period of time.

Can selenium be harmful?

Yes, if you get too much. Brazil nuts, for example, contain very high amounts of selenium (68–91 mcg per nut) and can cause you to go over the upper limit if you eat too many. Getting too much selenium over time can cause the following:

Garlic breath

Nausea

Diarrhea

Skin rashes

Irritability

Metallic taste in the mouth

Brittle hair or nails

Loss of hair or nails

Discolored teeth

Nervous system problems

Ages Upper Limit

Birth to 6 months45 mcg

Infants 7–12 months60 mcg

Children 1–3 years90 mcg

Children 4–8 years150 mcg

Children 9–13 years280 mcg

Teens 14–18 years400 mcg

Adults400 mcg

[BadHare in reply to Heloise]

I read that, too. I don't seem to have had any side effects, & have been eating them for years!

[angelaat27]

Sorry folks but I've read recently that lots of Brazil's are devoid of selenium because of the way they're grown in commercial enterprises.

[BadHare in reply to angelaat27]

Few brazil nuts are commercially grown,. Some parts of the rainforest have less selenium in the soil, so may have about a third less in the nuts.

[Heloise in reply to BadHare]

I think fertilizer in the soil has destroyed necessary enzymes so that the plant cannot take up minerals. Another reason to buy organic.

[BadHare in reply to Heloise]

I'm not sure what you mean, Heloise.

Fertiliser is used when there's insuficient nitrogen in the soil, that most plants need to grow. If it stopped the uptake of minerals, the plants wouldn't grow, & it would be counterproductive.

There is no, or little, selenium found in most European soils, but there is in S. America, hence us being able to get it from things that grow there.

[BadHare in reply to BadHare]

I lie, there seems to be plenty, but not anywhere that produces commercial fruit & veg:

ukso.org/nsi/Selenium.html

I wonder if my organic Cornish brie, Wensleydale, & Caerphilly contain Selenium?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to BadHare]

Given that animals often receive selenium supplementation in one form or another, perhaps the manure from them actually helps with other crops? (As well as the flesh, milk, etc.)

[BadHare in reply to helvella]

Possibly, Helvella, but only where natural farming methods are practiced, ie., crop/animal rotation, which rarely happens in commercial farming, nitrogen fertiliser being easier for arable farmers to use.

I came across the map of selenium rich areas in the UK, hence pondering on the provinance of my cheese, & whether I could include this as a selenium source. Sadly, no.

The high selenium areas are all highland: thin soils, so only suitable for grazing, & the high precipitation means the selenium is easily leached from the soil.

nutrition.org.uk/attachment...

It seems it's still going to be nuts for me!

Mel

[BadHare in reply to BadHare]

ps I wonder how Finland would feel about re-homing all the hypo refugees?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to BadHare]

I've actually got a copy of:

amazon.co.uk/Essentials-Med...

Must go and have another look...

[BadHare in reply to helvella]

WOW!!!

That looks like a stonking good read, Geology being one of my favourite things!

Pity I can't even afford a second hand copy, & It's more than six months to my birthday.

>

I've put it in my "basket" anyway!

Still thinking of moving to Finland, & could cope with the cold now I'm on NDT.

[Heloise in reply to BadHare]

I've tried to find a resource for what I said about uptake but I can't remember where it was. Maybe you can find it in here. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/S...

[angelaat27]

Is that right Leverette? I only read that fact a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I don't know wheere.

[BadHare in reply to angelaat27]

I forget where I've read things, & despite "bookmarking" web pages, there's so many, I can't find the one sentence or paragraph I want!

Brazil nuts are often promoted as a way to maintain rainforest ecosystems, as attempted commercial plantations don't produce enough nuts to make them viable. The rapid decomposition in tropical soils keeps the ecosystem in balance, & provides nutrients for the soil, as long as the trees remain intact. I don't imagine fertiliser is needed, & would be very surprised if they weren't organic. Like a lot of foods, the companies selling them slap a label on the same foodstuff to increase the price. Some foods I won't eat if it's not organic, or I shop where the food's better regulated for GM & pesticides.

[BadHare in reply to angelaat27]

Sorry Angela,

I read that article, too. I's a who needs it, how much, what to get it from, & who shouldn't list. Nothing to do with fertiliser & enzymes. If the mineral's not in the soil, plants can't get it. I did find out from another article that it's found in upland parts of the UK, but nowhere crops will grow. Selenium's added to soil in Finland, so lets all move there.

Mel

[conniemeg]

There are several sources that state you should not exceed 55 micro grams of selenium daily. woman.thenest.com/selenium-...

Also:

What Does Selenium Do?

Selenium's functions include:

Acting as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase

Stimulating immune function

Ensuring proper function of the thyroid gland

Aiding cell growth

How Much Should I Take?

Age GroupRecommended Dietary Allowance

micrograms/day (mcg/day)

MaleFemale

0-6 monthsNo RDA;

Adequate Intake (AI) = 15No RDA;

AI = 15

7-12 monthsNo RDA;

AI = 20No RDA;

AI = 20

1-3 years2020

4-8 years3030

9-13 years4040

14 years and older5555

Pregnancyn/a60

Lactationn/a70

(lahey.org/Departments_and_L...