What are the best vitamins for Graves Disease i... - Thyroid UK

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What are the best vitamins for Graves Disease is CoQ10 Selenium, and L-Carnitine good supplements?

Kim327 profile image
17 Replies

I have Graves Disease and have muscle and joint pain all the time. I am stressed and have anxiety every day.

Supplements I take are B-Complex, D3, Iron, C, probiotics, prebiotics, Turmeric Curcumin and Oil of Oregano (new).

Anyone have experience with CoQ10,selenium, and Acetyl-L-Carnitine? I have read it is. I just don't know what to do I am taking so many pills right now.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Awaiting current blood results or I would post them.

THANK YOU!

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Kim327
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Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

Hi Kim 327, I would advise to stagger some of the supplements, so you can see what works for you- maybe trialling for 6 weeks. I did the opposite, added too many supplements at once, then had to taper off to see which I’d found helpful....a bit of a headache!

For me, Curcumin had no obvious benefit, whereas selenium helped reduce inflammation. I’ve continued with 200mcg selenium. I definitely feel better taking D3/K2 and B Complex. Also magnesium glycinate has eased my anxiety and aided sleep. I’m still trialling black seed oil and sea buckthorn....haven’t noticed any positive impact yet. I take lutein and zeazanthin for my dry eyes and this has made a noticeable difference (thanks to Ling for this suggestion!)

Remember to post your vitamin tests and ranges and ask for advice from forum members. I feel empowered by asking others and trialling different supplements. Try not to stress about it- you are doing your very best to reduce inflammation and help your body heal.

Kim327 profile image
Kim327 in reply to Buddy195

Thank you so much Buddy195!!

I just wish the muscle aches and pains would go away! I have Brazil Nuts which I was told have great selenium and I should eat 1 to 2 a day. any experience with this? Trying to reduce the pills. I tried eating them then got scared because I worry about what the heck to eat for graves.

1 brazil nut provides 95.9 mcg selenium, which is greater than the recommended daily allowance of selenium per day. I was having 2 a day. Only did it for like a week. I think I felt better. I just don't recall. Now I have TMJ. Just got a mouth guard for night. My jaw and ear are killing me. Along with my muscles. I wish to find relief!

THANKS AGAIN!

fitnesspell.com/how-many-br...

Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator in reply to Kim327

We are here to support each other- keep posting!

I actually stopped Brazil nuts as I worried too much about having excess selenium and not knowing for certain how much was in each nut. 400mcg is a daily maximum from foods or supplements. I decided to stick to a 100mcg supplement twice a day (while my TED is still in an active phase). My muscle aches did ease with optimal thyroid medication and B vitamins. I also found Epsom salts in bath eased my muscles, along with gentle Pilates exercises. I’ve managed to replace my reliance on sleeping tablets with Magnesium and nighttime herbal tea. Listening to a mindfulness app prior to sleep has also been beneficial (but did take some time/ effort to get used to!)

Kim327 profile image
Kim327 in reply to Buddy195

Thank you, Buddy195! Happy to hear you found what works to ease your symptoms! I feel like I am in a perfect storm with menopause too!

Kim327 profile image
Kim327 in reply to Buddy195

I did meditation before bed last night. Definitely helped me relax! Thank you for inspiring me Buddy195!

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Kim327

"1 brazil nut provides 95.9 mcg selenium, which is greater than the recommended daily allowance of selenium per day."

You might want to also read this article:

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

Brazil nuts only contain selenium if grown in selenium rich soil and the packaging needs to say this.

As selenium content of soil varies, we also need to know the region the nuts are grown in.

If the packaging doesn't have this information then there may be little to no selenium in the nuts, and in this case the only way to know how much selenium you are taking is to use a selenium supplement.

For best absorption selenium l-selenomethionine or yeast bound selenium are advised. Avoid selenite and selenate forms as they have poor absorption.

Kim327 profile image
Kim327 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you so much for this great information SeasideSusie!

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Kim327

You're welcome :)

Hurtlocker profile image
Hurtlocker in reply to Kim327

I have exactly same as you!!joint and muscle pain ...brazil nuts do help I think..taking up yoga this week..stretching sure to help knee and hip pain..let you know!!cut out bread as well..only now and then and its o.k.

Kim327 profile image
Kim327 in reply to Hurtlocker

Thank you for your reply!

I tried yoga once. Definitely start with a beginner class. I also started meditation. Just 10 minutes and it did relax me! I have a peloton bike and it offers meditation and yoga classes you can do right from your phone or computer. I haven’t been able to workout at all due to illnesses and pain.

I cut gluten completely out of my diet and dairy. Also all seafood. Hard to find food to eat that’s not processed or bad for me. I eat very little. I fear what I eat will make me sick and in pain.

Last night I slept with a mouth guard because I have TMJ now. I grind in my sleep and wake up in dreadful jaw pain and ear pain. Can tell the difference from the night before when I didn’t wear one.

Hope yoga helps you! I also do acupuncture. Very relaxing!

Take care!

Purpleprincess1963 profile image
Purpleprincess1963 in reply to Kim327

Kim327, I am exactly the same as you muscle pains been sports therapist this week and also doctors about ear and jaw pain , she said it’s TMJ or acid reflux my ears actually feel like fluid is in them she looked at my like I was lying so came out of there feeling totally frustrated 😞

Kim327 profile image
Kim327 in reply to Purpleprincess1963

I’m sorry to hear you were frustrated! Unfortunately with our condition everyone thinks we are hypochondriacs! I was in the ER once and was literally felt silly because I was worried about my sore throat. Meanwhile the methimazole I take for my condition I just started has a warning of sore throats and to stop immediately and seek medical help!

I just went to the pharmacy yesterday and purchased a mouth guard. Just put it in hot water and molded it to fit. My jaw definitely feels better. I’m not near 100%, at all but hopefully after wearing it a while the pain will go away. I am just happy I didn’t wake up feeling the aches and pains I felt yesterday! Hope you can find one!

I also have sinus pressure on the side my jaw hurts. My acupuncturist who is also an MD told me about oil of Oregon. Only been on it a couple of days. Told it is great for the immune system and sinus issues.

Thanks to this site and the great people on here I was told about this one by Zane

smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0...

Hope you feel better soon!

Purpleprincess1963 profile image
Purpleprincess1963 in reply to Kim327

Thanks for your reply kim327, I was only diagnosed with underactive thyroid at the end of August and currently on 25micrograms of Levothryxine so pretty new to all this information but definitely have so many symptoms as you I have a scan on thyroid next week as doctor at last appointment said neck a little swollen and my need higher dose of thyroxine, my husband just can’t understand how I have so many symptoms lol, I have a mouth guard I am using it tonight, nice to hear from someone who knows how it feels at least I know I’m not going mad x

Kim327 profile image
Kim327 in reply to Purpleprincess1963

I hope all goes well with your scan!🙏 Also, hope the mouth guard helps you. It is nice to have others to relate to our situation. Will definitely help you through. Reach out anytime! My husband doesn’t get it either. He is like, I think you’ve checked every thing by now! If you look at my bio you will see my journey to how many specialists/doctors/tests I’ve had.

Take a look at this website:

annmariegianni.com/thyroid-...

If anything it helped me realize I am not crazy or alone! Just like this forum has helped.

Wishing you all the best!

Purpleprincess1963 profile image
Purpleprincess1963 in reply to Kim327

Thank you for your kind words xx

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase

I’ve always taken CoQ10 - not sure what it does but I’ve taken it for years, I buy whatever is best value or sometimes Ubiqunol along with C, a D4/K2 combo, B12, I also eat Brazil nuts, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds for selenium. I eat lots of oily fish too. I haven’t tried l-carnetine though.

Kim327 profile image
Kim327 in reply to Fruitandnutcase

Thank you for the information!!! Will be adding CoQ10 soon. Just trying to add them slowly. All the best!

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