thyroid support supplements?

[Tiredcoldachy]

I have seen on fb a lengthy presentation about thyroid support supplements . Mainly using selenium ( selenonmiothine) and aloe Vera plus 8 other ingredients. It’s a company called NationHealth MD . I would never buy without checking out and thought this Thyroid UK Group would be the best to ask . I’ve been on underactive thyroid meds for over 30 years, diagnosed in my 20’s. I’m ridiculously overtired , cold , achy etc and I’m having more in-depth tests done at the minute as I’m so fed up of feeling like this . Any info would be grateful . Thanks

[helvella Administrator]

Let us assume that this formulation is spot on exactly what someone, somewhere needs.

Why do you think you need exactly the same as that person?

The company is pushing you to buy their product. They know nothing about YOU.

Selenium might be something you should consider. But you don't want to over-do it. Our typical requirement is usually said to be about 80 micrograms a day.

But many who supplement with selenium have taken 200 or even 400 micrograms a day. And that can be too much in the longer term. Ideally (and I appreciate this is often not easy to achieve through NHS or afford privately) a selenium test would be done.

Selenium intake varies - depending on what you eat. Parts of the UK have a reasonable amount in the solid, parts are low. And much food is imported and that makes it difficult to have any idea.

I would rather take a separate selenium product so that I could start and stop as I felt the need. You can reduce the dose by taking alternate days - it is not something you need to take the same every day.

And what would the other ingredients do for you?

helvella - Thyroid Support Products

A short discussion about the various thyroid support formulas and similar products.

Last updated 13/02/2025

Link to blog:

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

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum Tiredcoldachy,

So we can offer better advice, can you tell us more about your thyroid condition, eg when you were diagnosed, cureent medication & dosage, plus blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:

TSH

FT3

FT4

Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)

If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

In the first instance, do ask GP for the above. We don’t recommend supplementing key vitamins without testing first (and sharing results with us).

As  helvella has advised, do be mindful of how much selenium you take. You need to be careful not to go above range. Studies have shown that those supplementing high doses (400ug daily) may have toxic levels. As such, it’s recommended to take no more than 100ug daily as a supplement (or 200ug if you have active Thyroid Eye Disease) or eat 1-2 Brazil nuts (as each nut may contain 50-90ug selenium dependent upon soil type).

[Tiredcoldachy in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you for your message . I had bloods done last week asking for most of the tests you mentioned . They said they can’t do the FT3 levels . I’m on 100 mg of levothyroxine and have been on this since about 1998. My last results for TSH (2.9)and FT4 (16.8) always show up as normal. When I get my results I will discuss it further with my Gp to get to the bottom of it if I can . As you say messing about with e can cause issues but I feel so desperate , I’m so fed up feeling tired .

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Tiredcoldachy]

Can you add ranges for blood tests (in brackets after results) as these can vary between laboratories.

TSH should always be under 2, with most members here reporting they feel best when it drops closer to/ under 1. It would be useful to see FT3, and key thyroid vitamins. Do share any more results, if/ when you get them.

A patient to patient tip for your next blood draw is to get the earliest test (before 9am) and take daily dose of Levo after the blood draw (as TSH highest early morning). Drink nothing but water before the test.

[Tiredcoldachy in reply to Buddy195]

Hi ,

Thanks for your response . The results for my last test in November were as follows

Serum free T4 16.8 ( 11-23)

Serum TSH 2.9 ( 0.27-4.5)

I should get my other results this week and I did have them done before 9am but had eaten . Usually my tests are done in the afternoon.

I will be in touch when I get my latest results .

Thank you

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Tiredcoldachy]

I would push for an increase from 100mcg to 125mcg Levo. Personally, I like to add increments slowly, so would add 12.5mcg initially, then an additional 12.5mcg when well tolerated

[RedApple]

' I’ve been on underactive thyroid meds for over 30 years'

Which strongly suggests that any thyroid support supplement is a total waste of money for you. Your thyroid doesn't work, so you can't 'support' it. You need full thyroid hormone replacement, either as T4 only, or possibly T4 with a little bit of T3.

A 'lengthy presentation' on FB is something to steer clear of in my opinion. It's just marketing hype created for the purpose of emptying your bank account in order to fill theirs!

Once you've had your 'more in-depth tests done', do come back with the results so that members can help you understand them and hopefully point you in the right direction to get your health back on track.

[Tiredcoldachy in reply to RedApple]

Thank you will do .

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

My last results for TSH (2.9)and FT4 (16.8) always show up as normal. When I get my results I will discuss it further with my Gp to get to the bottom of it if I can .

Obviously need range on Ft4 and need to test Ft3, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 together

ALWAYS test early morning, ideally before 9am only drinking water between waking and test and last dose Levo 24 hours before test

Do you always get same brand Levo at each prescription

Most people when adequately treated on levothyroxine only will have Ft4 at least 70% through range and Ft3 at least 50-60% through range

Vitamin levels need to be OPTIMAL for good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone)

[Tiredcoldachy in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you , have just put ranges on reply to Buddy 195 . I usually have same brand but they do change occasionally . I’ve also recently swapped to taking them at night as read on Thyroid Uk that it was better to do that . I think I will have to have FT3 tested privately as the Dr won’t do it . kind regards

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to Tiredcoldachy]

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but yes it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

markvanderpump.co.uk/blog/p...

markvanderpump.co.uk/blog/p...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.

Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test so that last dose levothyroxine is still 24 hours before test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal