Brazil Nuts: Does anybody know if eating Brazil... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,181 members166,422 posts

Brazil Nuts

Phyloreardon profile image
8 Replies

Does anybody know if eating Brazil nuts can make you hyper. I have been having about 6 or 7 a day because of the selenium and this morning have woken up feeling definitely dodgy. Twitchy and a little breathless. As I already supplement with T3 I wonder if I have now got a little too much. Will leave them off for a while and see what happens

Written by
Phyloreardon profile image
Phyloreardon
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
8 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

If you are on T3, I doubt if the Brazil nuts can make you hyper. Selenium is good for converting T4 to T3, but you don't have any converting to do, because you take T3.

However, you can over-dose on selenium, and six or seven nuts daily is rather a lot - if the nuts contain decent levels of selenium. But, that's the problem. There's no knowing how much they contain. And most of them contain very little, because soils where they are grown, are depleted. And, always assuming, that you can actually absorb the selenium from the nuts you're eating, which isn't certain when you're hypo. But, twitchy and breathless could be signs of over-doing the selenium. So, I think you would be wise to stop eating them for a while, and see if you feel better.

A much surer way of getting the correct amount of selenium is to take a supplement. Perhaps not as satisfying if you like things 'natural', but at least you know what you're getting. You can take up to 200 mcg a day.

Phyloreardon profile image
Phyloreardon in reply togreygoose

Thanks, I will leave them off for a while. Trouble is when they are just in the fridge it is so easy just to reach for one. Won't buy any!

Jose651 profile image
Jose651 in reply toPhyloreardon

Hi P,

Hide them in the salad drawer. Out of sight, Out of mind. Lol 😊

Naomi8 profile image
Naomi8 in reply toPhyloreardon

I have read several times online that Brazil nuts are naturally highly radioactive & its best not to eat more than 2 a day for this reason.It is thus much easier to get Selenium from a supplement.

Gillybean129 profile image
Gillybean129

Radioactive? Wow!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toGillybean129

Have a look here at a slightly different viewpoint:

atomicinsights.com/bbc-bang...

Let us not forget that radiation, as being discussed here, is natural. :-) Perhaps we shouldn't get too obsessed with the idea that everything natural is good and everything not natural is bad.

Pamanda profile image
Pamanda in reply tohelvella

Awesome video!

Joyia profile image
Joyia

Perhaps you have a slight allergy to nuts, especially if you eat too many?

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Brazil nuts...

...apparently have selenium in them. But of course you can't know how much. Does anyone else eat...
Rocca profile image

Selenium in Brazil nuts

Hello, I was just wandering about selenium in Brazil nuts. I eat two organic Brazil nuts from...
LOUPS profile image

Aches and pains...has anyone tried Brazil nuts?h

I had a total thyroidectomy 18 months ago, and have been treated with Levothyroxine only. My joints...
traceytired profile image

Has anyone found some Brazil nuts in supermarket packets taste of chemical?

Who buys supermarket packs of 'organic' Brazil nuts for selenium? Across however many packs, have...
storm profile image

Moderation team

See all
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.