Selenium and thyroxin

[Gold99]

Hi there, I have been on 100micrograms of levothyroxine, for quite a few years now, and have been fine ( apart from weight retention, and loss of most of eyebrows ,Ugh !!!) Have recently read that selenium is a good addition, any thoughts ?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Gold99

Selenium is said to aid conversion of T4 to T3.

100mcg is said to be a safe amount without testing, you may see 200mcg recommended.

It might be best to test before supplementing. My selenium level is pretty good naturally.

If you do supplement then look for selenium L-selenomethionine or a yeast bound selenium and avoid selenite or selenate forms.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

In an ideal world, we'd get tested for selenium and then make decisions about supplementing.

My view is that a modest supplement (say 100 micrograms) is likely safe and might be beneficial. Even then, it is quite common to see people who take it for a while, then stop - either as a pause or deciding not to take it any longer.

I suggest you have a read of the link below - one of the better pages on selenium, albeit from the USA.

Selenium

Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/S...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Do you have any recent thyroid and vitamin test results and ranges that you can add

Do you always test thyroid levels early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Which brand of levothyroxine are you taking and do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested 

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if cause is autoimmune thyroid disease (hashimoto’s)

Do you know if you have Hashimoto’s?

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease 

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 and includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies -£29 

randoxhealth.com/at-home/Th...

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Mineral test £75 includes selenium

medicinesonline.org.uk/prod...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Thetoothfairy47]

I have been taking levothyroxine @25mg for years. I use the word “taking” very loosely in that I often forget and also when I remember I usually take it with coffee. Which I gather is bad.

The thing is I don’t feel better, worse or any change in my general health if I take them fastidiously or with coffee or not

What are the symptoms my t4 has never been more than 7 pills or not.

So but for my wife nagging I probably wouldn’t bother at all

I would like to understand what are the risks of not taking this stuff when advised to do so by my doctor

[tattybogle in reply to Thetoothfairy47]

Hi Thetoothfairy, basically 25mcg is such a small dose it is not surprising it doesn't make any difference to how you feel, or your fT4 results ....

it is very likely that the dose is insufficient and should be higher , but to answer your questions properly we will need some more information about your Blood test results.

it would be better to write a new post with your question , otherwise it get's confusing adding your details on someone else's post.

To write a new post click on the blue "WRITE" box , ~ (near the top of the page /top right hand corner on laptop)

undertreated / untreated hypothyroidism has increase risks for all sort of things. eg. raised cholesterol/ heart problems / bone problems / joint ,tendon issues eg Carpel tunnel syndrome , bursitis etc. can't remember precise details/ evidence off top of my head but others will be able to reply more full re. 'untreated' risks when you write your own post