Is selenium recommend on here?

[Chasing-rainbows]

I've read that selenium can be helpful in those with hashimotos, is it recommended by others on here?

I have some in the cupboard, 200 mcg, from Holland and Barrett.

Any reason to avoid taking them?

[Buddy195 Administrator]

A word of caution if you choose to supplement with selenium; doses of above 400ug per day have been shown to be toxic.

In the past, I have supplemented with 200ug when diagnosed with active Thyroid Eye Disease (as studies have shown it can help mild/ moderate cases if taken for 6 months). I then reduced to 100ug. Selenium supplementation did reduce my antibody levels (however, they still remain over range).

As Brazils can contain 50-90ug selenium each (depending on selenium content of soil where grown) it’s not advisable to take a selenium supplement AND eat a couple of Brazils a day.

[Chasing-rainbows in reply to Buddy195]

So 200mcg short term should be fine? I also have a pill cutter so could halve them to get 100mcg. I don't often eat Brazil nuts (unless covered in chocolate at Christmas, lol!)

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Chasing-rainbows]

I would only recommend 200ug if you have TED, otherwise 100ug…. So just split your 200ug tablet.

[greygoose]

I'm not sure it's anything to do with Hashi's specifically - in what way is it supposed to help? - but selenium is necessary for good conversion of T4 to T3, so taking it often helps with that. But it has to be the right type of selenium. And for the life of me I can't remember which type is the right type. If I find where I noted it down, I'll let you know.

Be wary of H&B supplements and check there's nothing nasty in the fillers.

[Lavender-Blue in reply to greygoose]

Selenomethionine?

[greygoose in reply to Lavender-Blue]

Possibly. Can't remember, sorry.

[humanbean in reply to greygoose]

Lavender-Blue

This is a good link (from the late, great SeasideSusie) on the subject of selenium and the best form to take it in :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I took a product of the recommended form of selenium at a dose of 200mcg but it didn't take long for it to make me feel very unwell so I changed to a dose of 100 mcg per day which I tolerated with no problems.

If someone has bought a dose of selenium that turns out to be too high for them they can continue taking it, but only take it, say, two or three times a week.

[greygoose in reply to humanbean]

Thank you for that link, HB. I spent hours yesterday looking for it! I shall now bookmark it. My old computer finally gave up the ghost a couple of months ago, and I lost so much information. And I realised just how little I'd backed up! I shall have to do better in future! But, I probably won't...

[humanbean in reply to greygoose]

I'm actually the reverse. I've bookmarked so many links, and downloaded so many papers and articles, that I now struggle to find anything. I thought I had organised things sensibly but clearly I haven't. Instead I have to try and remember a word or phrase then creep up on the thing I'm looking for.

[greygoose in reply to humanbean]

Yes, my archives were a bit like that, too. And now I've lost the lot! So, starting again from scratch. What's the betting I don't do any better this time round, it'll still be a mess! lol

[SlowDragon Administrator]

you could test your selenium levels before starting on supplements

Or test after a few months

[Chasing-rainbows in reply to SlowDragon]

Any recommendations on where to get selenium levels tested? Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Chasing-rainbows]

Blue horizon currently offer this bundle

Zinc, copper, selenium and magnesium

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

After I was diagnosed as gluten intolerant by gastroenterologist, he recommended taking selenium

I can’t say I ever noticed any difference taking it or not.

I didn’t test before starting (couldn’t find a test then)

But tested 2 years after taking 200mcg selenium daily…..result was mildly over range

I then reduced to taking just once a week…..but I have TED (thyroid eye disease) and eyes did seem a bit worse….so increased to twice weekly

I have never tested zinc. Currently taking Solgar zinc piccolante just once a week

I think I might get this test done…..see where levels are now

[Regenallotment]

I took 200mcg for around 12 months (as recommended in the books I was reading about Hashimoto’s at the time ) then the GP tested for me and I was just over the normal range, no symptoms. Stopped immediately and weirdly didn’t fancy a brazil nut for a good 9 months. I’ve just started eating a couple a day.

My zinc was under and remained low in range despite supplements so I maintain those but will test again.

GP was happy to order the tests on the basis that I could be giving myself toxicity. She was as fascinated as I was to see the results.

Hubby (the great experimenter without diagnosed thyroid condition) took Selenium for about 8 weeks and developed this awful garlicky breath that seemed to exude most in his sleep. 🤢🥴 He got a telling off for randomly popping supplements without looking what it is 🤦🏽‍♀️ returned to normal in a few days of stopping. So that’s a sign to look out for 😬🌱

[Tea7light]

Hello Chasing-rainbows,

When I started on my T4/T3, combination I read that both zinc and selenium combined would help strengthen my T3. I’m taking a zinc picolinate 22mg per day with 3 Brazil nuts. I’ve read more Brazil nuts than this is detrimental to one’s health if taking them long term. Too much selenium in them.

But I haven’t been able to get a T3 blood test for years, so I can only go on how I feel which is ok. I hope to take a T4,T3 bloods in the near future.

[66olives]

What an interesting and informative thread. Thanks guys.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Might be something of interest in my document:

helvella - Selenium Document

A few notes about selenium.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

I've bookmarked that, too. Thank you.