Selenium

[Simplyred57]

Is it safe to take selenium with thyroxine?

[helvella Administrator]

Selenium supplementation can be safe in people with thyroid disorders.

Take it well away from any thyroid hormone medication - suggest four hours for certainty.

Take a modest dose. I wouldn't take more than 100 micrograms over more than a very short time (a few weeks).

It really is a good idea to have your existing selenium level tested before starting. How do you know you need it?

An excess of selenium is toxic and the level at which that occurs is usually stated to be around 800 micrograms a day. Note that is overt toxicity not just the negative effects of a slightly too much.

[Simplyred57 in reply to helvella]

Hi I don’t know if I need it really, I don’t think I will take anyway as the one I bought from Holland & Barrett smells really bad and is 200ug I have problems with hair loss and just looking to try to improve that really.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Simplyred57]

Simplyred57

Many selenium supplements have an unpleasant odour. H&B own brand of anything is particularly naff though, as are most high street and supermarket own brands.

Interesting article about hair loss which you may find useful

hubpages.com/health/16-Vita...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Simplyred57]

Have you had ferritin and zinc levels tested

Both are linked to hair loss

If you add your ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D results and ranges members can advise

[LAHs in reply to Simplyred57]

Eat two Brazil nuts every day, that will give you about your daily requirement of selenium (plus some Magnesium!). Only two though for all the reasons Helvella pointed out.

[Simplyred57 in reply to LAHs]

Thanks will definitely do that .

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Simplyred57]

Simplyred57

If you are going to buy brazil nuts for selenium, read the packaging and see if it says "Grown in selenium rich soil". If not then there is no knowing how much selenium is in the nuts, if any, as selenium content in the soil varies considerably

honey-guide.com/2012/11/19/...

If you want to be sure of the amount you take then a selenium supplement is the best way, with selenium l-selenomethionine and yeast bound selenium having the best absorbancy and selenium selenite or selenate having the least absorbancy.

And as Helvella mentioned, you could test your selenium level first.

[LAHs in reply to Simplyred57]

Yes, let's get more specific. If you do see the label "Grown in Selenium (Se) rich soil" then that is wonderful. We do not have that luxury in the US and I have never found a Brazil nut with zero Se in it, I think you would really have to search for that. This depletion of soil in most nutriments is true of most of the foods we eat today - and yet we keep eating. Secondly it is always a good idea to get a blood test to see if you are deficient in any vitamin, mineral or metal before you start taking a supplement. You will see from my previous posts that I am not enthusiastic about taking metal (or in this case a quasi metal) from pills, it is so easy to overdose. (OK, I agree iron is difficult) I prefer to get metals (and quasi's) and most minerals from foods. Look, with Se you don't need very much and even if your Brazil nuts are not providing very much, you are still better off. Yes, read your label, yes get before and after blood tests if you want to be absolutely accurate, adjust your intake or supplier in light of your findings. That is the scientific method, but you know what? I am a scientist, I just eat 2 Brazil nuts per day and I feel great.