Selenium and thyroid

[ChoH]

Do you recommend I start taking extra selenium and what dose? I already take 200mcg in my normal multivitamin. I read that it’s supposed to help with Hashimotos. I have Hashimotos and Dr only told me to take levothtroxine (Euthyrox 0,05mg) daily for now, which I’ve been taking since April this year but my antibodies were still quite high (double the normal value) ?

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I wouldn’t take more than 200mcg selenium a day ChoH. Some studies have shown it may be toxic above 400mcg per day. Some people choose to eat a couple of Brazil nuts instead of a tablet, as (depending on the soil type they were grown in) they can be naturally high in selenium. SeasideSusie has useful links on the selenium content of different manufacturers of Brazil nuts if you want to add selenium via food. I prefer to take a tablet supplement, to be certain of intake, but I only took 200mcg a day for a year (as thyroid affected my eyes; I have TED) then reduced the dose to 100mcg a day.

Many forum members will advise against multivitamins, as you are best testing for key vitamins (Vit D, folate, ferritin & B12) first, then supplementing as required to get levels optimal. I use Medichecks to test these privately, as my GP doesn’t routinely offer this.

It would be useful if you could post your recent thyroid blood results and antibodies (with ranges in brackets) so members can better advise you.

I’ve learned so much from joining this forum; far more than from any medics I’ve seen. Very best wishes to you & remember to keep posting if you need further advice or support.

[FitF]

Hi,

I am unsure of the selenium dosage however my doctor advises a few brazil nuts a day.

Also I have been advised only to take the original brand, in australia that is Oroxine, no generics. I have read that the generics can be less effective. Have a chat to your GP re. this or perhaps others on this forum may comment too.

I have had Hashimoto's for over 10 years and always taken Oroxine. Have never been able to get my antibodies anywhere near normal levels for over 30 years (had hyper thyroidism post partum and always high antibodies).

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to FitF]

Isn't Oroxine identical to Eutroxsig? Even made by the same company?

[FitF in reply to helvella]

It is a generic brand. Which country do you live in?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

ChoH

FitF You may be interested also.

How much we need daily: ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/S...

Selenium content in Brazil Nuts:

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

Providing, of course that the nuts contain selenium and they have to have been grown in selenium rich soil to contain any. Then it depends in which area the nuts were grown in because the amount of selenium in soil varies. Eastern Amazon and Central Brazil have the highest amounts.

The packaging needs to say "Grown in selenium rich soil" and preferably the area and possibly the amount of selenium.

Apparently Sainsburys SO organic brazil nuts contain 50mcg selenium per 30g serving of nuts

sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/pro...

and their Fairtrade ones have 75mcg selenium per 30g serving

sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/pro...

One member has said that M&S Natural Brazil Nuts say "harvested by hand in the Amazon forest and naturally high in selenium".

Also, check out Aldi's "The Foodie Market" Brazil nuts, the packaging is said to show selenium content as 79mcg per 30g serving.

Another one is 'My Garden of Eden' Brazil nuts from Home Bargains.. They say "High in Selenium and high in vitamin E" on the front of the packet and the Nutritional Information says "one serving (25g) gives 63ug of Selenium".

[jsy_girl]

I got my selenium tested and it was over range just from eating a 3-4 Sainsbury’s fair trade Brazil’s a day so wouldn’t take too much extra as you may already get it in your diet

[Bearo in reply to jsy_girl]

I was eating three Brazil’s a day, then read online that it should be three a week.

[Beads]

0.05mg is only 50mcg. Have you had your thyroid levels checked since being given that dose?

[ChoH in reply to Beads]

I did have some blood tests done recently on the 2nd June 2021.

My results are as follows :

- vitamin B12 : 762 pmol/L (145 - 569)

-serum folate : 30.5 mmol/L (8.8 - 60.3)

- Vitamin D : 34ng/mL (sufficiency = >20ng/mL

- MCHC : 32.2L (32.7 - 34.9

-MPV : 12.1 H (7.3 - 11.3)

-triglycerides: 0.95mmol/L (optimal = <1.7 mmol/L)

-HDL : 2.02 mmol/L (optimal = >1.2 mmol/L)

-LDL : 2.70mmol/L (optimal = <3.0 mmol/L)

- Total cholesterol : 5.5 mmol/L (<5.0 mmol/L)

- TSH : 0.78 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.20)

- free T4 : 20.0 pmol/L (12.0 - 22.0)

-thyroglobulin : 18.7 ug/L (3.5 - 77.0)

- Anti-thyroglobulin Ab : 214 H U/mL (<115)

Initially when I was diagnosed with a thyroid problem which was in October 2018 my results were :

-TSH : 8.27 uIU/mL (0.35 - 4.94)

-FT4 : 9.5 pmol/L (9.0 - 19.0)

-S-Iron : 21.4 umol/L (9.0 - 30.4)

-S-Ferritin : 34 ng/mL (15 - 160)

-triglycerides: 0.7 mmol/L (<1.7)

-HDL: 1.8mmol/L (>1.2)

-LDL: 2.6mmol/L (<3.0)

-total cholesterol: 4.7mmol/L (<5.0)

I was started on Euthyrox 0.05mg and 1.0mg on alternative days. I was on this treatment for one year (2019 - 2020) my TSH levels then became too low (0.02 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.20)) and free T4 became high (free T4: 26.8 pmol/L (12.0 - 22.0). I was then changed to Euthyrox 0.025mg from January to April and on 7th April I went for bloods again. My TSH became too high (11.97 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.20)) and free T4 was within normal range (free T4 : 14.3 pmol/L (12.0 -22.0)). I was then switched to Euthyrox 0.05mg which I have been taking since April till now in June.

My TSH and free are within the normal range as shown above in my first paragraph. My thyroid antibodies are high, my total cholesterol level is high. My vitamins are within normal range. My symptoms of my thyroid issues are :

-hair loss

-brittle nails

-feeling cold

-menstrual issues (absence of period or light bleeding)

-feeling cold

-loss of weight

-high cholesterol

-occasionally muscle pains

-stomach sensitivity : pain and bloating (sensitivity to milk, cream and spicy food)

My current medications that I take are :

- Euthyrox : 0.05mg

- Minesse (oral contraceptive)

- gastrochoice probiotic

-multivitamin

-Omegq 3,6,9 (flaxseed brand)

I have tried to give a full picture of my thyroid issues and health. I need help to try to get things under control especially all the symptoms and the high cholesterol.

The dr has told me to continue with 0.05mg Euthyrox and to go for bloods again in July.

At the moment I am not sure if the Euthyrox dose that I am on is the best dose for me. And also not sure how to deal with the other problems. I’ve been trying to do some research on what health changes I can makes or what natural products I can use to help my cholesterol and thyroid issues and for my hair loss, but I am also afraid to mix natural products with my current medication, any advice on that as well ?

[Beads in reply to ChoH]

Well your thyroid levels seem ok, but T3 hasn’t been tested, that’s the important one. Ferritin was low in Oct’18 but hasn’t been repeated. The only one that I recognise is MCHC (mean cellular haemoglobin concentration), that’s below range, ok not far below, but that range is pretty narrow, so being below could be quite significant. If they were my results I’d be chatting to the doc about it, trying to get them to do a full iron panel.

Your vitamin levels look adequate but adequate and optimal aren’t the same. I’ll tag SeasideSusie and SlowDragon as they know much more about this than I do.