Any Supplements Help With Hashimoto's?

[Bolt_Upright]

Somehow I got it in my head last night that Selenium would be helpful for my Hashimoto's (and ordered some) but the internet is not giving me the same answer today. Today it says don't take it

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Bolt_Upright

I'm not sure where you're looking but a Google search for Selenium and Hashimoto's has given me plenty of links in favour of it

google.co.uk/search?q=selen...

Selenium should be in the form of selenium l-selenomethionine or a yeast bound selenium as these are the most absorbable forms, avoid selenite and selenate versions.100mcg is considered a safe amount and 200mcg is often suggested when Hashi's is present, any more and it would be best to test for selenium level first.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks. This is the last paragraph in that report

The results of our systematic review demonstrate that at present, there is insufficient objective evidence to support clinical decision making regarding the use of selenium supplementation for the treatment of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Well-designed randomized placebo-controlled trials to evaluate the effects of selenium in people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis are still needed and can ultimately provide reliable evidence to support clinical decision making.

Where did this come from please? "100mcg is considered a safe amount and 200mcg is often suggested when Hashi's is present,".

Thanks, Bolt

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Where did this come from please? "100mcg is considered a safe amount and 200mcg is often suggested when Hashi's is present,".

Several sources but I don't have links to them all. These 3 mention doses

boostthyroid.com/blog/2018/...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

verywellhealth.com/selenium...

[Bolt_Upright in reply to SeasideSusie]

This from the last link is hopeful. I need to find the study. Thanks!

A 2016 study analyzed the impact of selenium supplementation on the thyroid antibody levels of people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.3

 The study evaluated both thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin (TgAb) antibody levels at three, six, and 12 months of selenium supplementation in two groups of Hashimoto’s patients; one receiving levothyroxine thyroid hormone replacement treatment, and the other, as newly-diagnosed patients, not being treated with thyroid hormone replacement. For those being treated with levothyroxine, selenium supplementation resulted in significantly lower TPOAb levels after three months, which continued to decrease at six months and 12 months. TgAb levels did not decrease until the 12-month point. In the untreated Hashimoto’s group, selenium supplementation resulted in a decrease in TPOAb levels after three months, but not after six or 12 months, while TgAb decreased at three months, but not at six or 12 months.

[buddy99 in reply to Bolt_Upright]

This was published about Selenium and thyroid on Pubmed this year (2021): pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/294... It stresses the importance of Selenium for thyroid function and impact on general health. Very short read. I take the last sentence as an encouragement to get Selenium levels tested before supplementation. Whether your doctor will do this I don't know. Mine won't.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to buddy99]

Selenium (Se) is a trace mineral that is essential to human health. Selenium, in the form of selenoproteins, carries out various functions in normal health and metabolism. In particular, glutathione peroxidase (G-Px), a selenoprotein, performs antioxidant activities that protect against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Iodothyronine deiodinases that convert inactive thyroxine (T4) to active thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3), are selenium-dependent. Selenium plays a role in the immune system functioning and the progression of HIV to AIDS. Selenium deficiency has been implicated in cardiovascular disease, infertility, myodegenerative diseases, and cognitive decline. The role of selenium in cancer treatment is currently being studied. In the 200 years since its discovery in 1817, the role of selenium in human health has evolved. Previously maligned as a carcinogen, it is now being understood as a vital nutrient, albeit one with a low window from being therapeutic to toxic.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to buddy99]

Thanks buddy99.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to SeasideSusie]

Found one I liked better!

Selenium Treatment Effect in Auto-Immune Hashimoto Thyroiditis in Macedonian Population - April 2019

Conclusion

The results of our study demonstrate, as in the literature findings, that at present, there is a benefit of the use of Se supplementation for the treatment of patients with HT. Furthermore, well-designed randomized placebo-controlled trials on Se treatment in HT are still needed and can be used in future for clinical decision making.

jofem.org/index.php/jofem/a...

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I take selenium & have found it beneficial. It was recommended by my Endo & ophthalmologist as I have TED. I have noticed that when i supplement overall inflammation is reduced. It’s important not to exceed recommended dosage of 100-200mcg as it can be toxic above 400mcg. I prefer to take supplement rather than eat Brazil nuts, as it can be hard to work out the selenium content of a given nut (soil quality is key) If you are interested in Brazils, look up a post yesterday re TED, as there are links posted by SS about this.

Do test other key vitamins (folate, ferritin, B12 and vitamin D) prior to supplementing, as then you can see if it is necessary/ have a reference point. I use Medichecks for testing thyroid & key vitamins as my GP is not reliable for this & always post results on this forum for advice re dosage.

Best wishes to you Bolt_Upright.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you Buddy195. I had to look up TED. Good luck with your protocol.

[Beads]

We had a similar discussion a couple of months ago. It was recommended (I think by SeasideSusie) that I test my levels before supplementing, the easiest/cheapest I found was Cerascreen at £69 I think. My level was almost at the top of the range so I don’t need to supplement.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Beads]

Beads

Did you do the Selenium test with blood in a tube (it says it does magnesium and zinc as well), or the Mineral Deficiency test which includes selenium, zinc and magnesium and is a dried blood spot test?

[Beads in reply to SeasideSusie]

Blood in a tube, I didn’t see a dried blood spot one when I searched. Do you know the difference?

Selenium was almost at the top of the standard range, Zn and Mg close to the bottom. Which sort of confused me as my vitC also contains Zn, but I take that with my iron, iron buggers up absorption doesn’t it, so that might explain that.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Beads]

No I don't know the difference, I am wondering why they do two versions of the same test, they're both the same price.

Yes, iron would affect absorption of zinc.

[Beads in reply to SeasideSusie]

I’ve emailed them to ask 😀

They also test zinc on its own, for the same price as the Zn/Mg/Se.

[Beads in reply to SeasideSusie]

I got a reply......

"thank you very much for your message and for your interest in our tests.

Both tests are the same, selenium, zinc and magnesium are testes and required a tube of blood. Sorry for the confusion.

If you have any other questions, feel free to respond to this email.

We wish you a pleasant day and a wonderful week.

Best regards,

Florencia from Cerascreen"

Maybe in a year or so I'll get my levels checked again, go for the blood spot option and see if I do actually get a blood spot card or a tube to fill.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Beads]

I've ordered the blood tube one from them (I've never tested but only take 100mcg), waiting for it to arrive. I'm expecting a tube but will let you know if it's any different.

[Hisdove]

Isabella Wentz and many others recommend thiamine, specifically Benfotiame for Hashi's. If you go to Yt, you will find tons of videos on it. I have been watching them and just ordered some from Vitacost yesterday. It helps many other issues also and some people can't absorb it into their cells via food. Hope this helps.

[ntrainer78]

I found taking selenium with thyroxine was the magic combination and aftwr 6yrs of slowly dying with no life i feel AMAZING. I take thors selenium as its organic,been on it two wks now and felt amazing straight away. I think its iodine ur not supposed to take with hashimotos as the thyroid cant absorb it and its just left floating around ur system. Selenium helps the t4 tranfer to t3 and lowers the antibodies thus redusing the immune response

[Bolt_Upright in reply to ntrainer78]

thors selenium? I can't find that on the web. What dosage are you taking? Thanks.

Bolt

[ntrainer78 in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Its available to buy on amazon,cant rem dosage but thors is a standard dose

[ntrainer78 in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Its Thorne sorry and its 200mcg

[Bolt_Upright in reply to ntrainer78]

Thanks. So you have Hashimoto's and take 200 mcg of Thorne Selenium? Did you get your levels tested first? Sorry for so many questions.

I am so hopeful Selenium will help, and then scared by things like this:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/294...

[ntrainer78 in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Yes i have hashimotos,started off with thyrotoxicos was treated then left for 4 yrs and now hypo,ive tested positive for antibodies and diagnosed with autoimmune hashimotos. I also have a multi nodular groitre. Docs didnt test for selenium but after not feeling any better on levothyroxinr i ordered thorn from amazon and it was like a switch. I take 1 x 200mcg each morning with 50mcg of levothyroxine with water on an empty stomache then wait 2 hrs before anything else

[Bolt_Upright in reply to ntrainer78]

Thank you so much!

[Bolt_Upright]

Here is a good read: Myo-inostiol and Selenium for Hashimoto's (2017)

You might already know that selenium can be very helpful for Hashimoto’s. It’s an antioxidant that supports the production of glutathione. Selenium is helpful in reducing anti TPO antibodies. This study compared patients using selenium alone and selenium with myo-inositol.

Hashimoto's Research Update Winter 2021

wellnessminneapolis.com/drb...

[Bolt_Upright]

But then there is this:

In my clinical practice and in listening to what my readers tell me about their own experiences, I have found selenium toxicity to be extremely rare. When taken in therapeutic doses, selenium does not typically have side effects.

But it is always important to understand the flip side of optimal results. While most reported toxicity cases have been associated with industrial accidents and manufacturing errors (29), it is important to at least be aware of the symptoms of selenium toxicity.

Some symptoms of selenium toxicity that have been reported include GI disturbances, hair loss, changes in hair and nails, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, irritability, garlic-smelling breath, fever, nausea and a jaundice-like yellow tint to the skin.

Potentially serious side effects include liver, kidney and heart problems. At high enough levels, selenium could even cause death.

It’s important to note that selenium may also interact with other supplements and medications, such as cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, antacids, chemotherapy drugs, corticosteroids, niacin, and even birth control pills.

Those with a CBS mutation have difficulty breaking down selenium. (Research has found that selenomethionine needs to be converted into its active form via the CBS gene. So, if this gene is mutated, the body cannot break down selenomethionine properly.) Thus, those with a CBS gene mutation will have more selenium circulating in their body, compared to those without this mutation.

If you know you have the CBS mutation, then regularly monitoring your selenium levels is necessary. If you suspect that you may have this mutation, be sure to test for the CBS gene mutation using a genetic test like the one offered by 23andMe. You’ll also want to check out the Sulfur Toxicity Protocol in the Advanced Protocols section of Hashimoto’s Protocol. We heard from one reader, who had the CBS mutation, and ended up with a selenium toxicity due to this very reason.

Selenium supplements are also associated with a risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma), so people at high risk of skin cancer should not take these supplements.

In addition, a study by the National Cancer Institute shows that men who already have high concentrations of selenium in their bodies are nearly twice at risk of aggressive prostate cancer if they take selenium supplements.

Furthermore, selenium intake may also cause side effects in those with diabetes. One study found that people who took 200 micrograms a day of selenium were 50 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. So far, it’s unknown whether the selenium actually caused the disease.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...