selenium

[juby]

hi is selenium good for hypEr thyroid or hypo

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Selenium isn't so much 'good' as 'essential' for produces the seleno-proteins that are used to make thryoid hormone and to convert T4 to T3 and rT3 (and other steps). So it has a role in handling thyroid hormones in both hyper and hypo people.

However whether any supplementation of selenium intake is desirable or not is a rather difficult issue. As I have recently suggested in other threads here, I think that low dose supplementation may be desirable. That would in my view be something like 25 mcg per day. Others will suggest much higher doses but I am very wary.

Rod

[katey in reply to helvella]

Hi rod, just out of curiousity, may I ask why you feel so wary? I take 200mcg daily. Thanks katey

[juby in reply to helvella]

Thanks for the advice regards julia

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to helvella]

Very simple. It is very well known that high levels of selenium are harmful. None of us knows our actual levels nor can we measure our intake. Our requirements are usually regarded as being around 55 to 75 mcg (adult, male) and we are likely to be getting a significant proportion of that already.

Given the above I regard the maximum intake that is likely to be required as being around 25 mcg or so. (That is, I suggest we might getting half of our requirement already and making it up with another 25 mcg by supplementation.)

Of course, imperfect absorption might increase the amount you need to swallow but even that is not clear.

And given its nature, I would argue that low level supplementation over a long period is probably the safest approach and, if your diet is low in selenium, it may indeed be required. But I don't want my selenium levels to get too high so keeping that intake at the lowest possible level would be my goal.

"Enough is as good as a feast" - and in my view, a lot safer.

Rod

[foxglove]

I understand 2or 3 brazil nuts contain enough selenium without need for supplement - even choc. ones count!

[juby]

Are any other nuts good for selenium i do eat almonds pistachios and cashews. i love chocolate but been avoiding sugar so keep body steady, less insulin etc

[shaws Administrator in reply to juby]

This is a list of foods containing selenium.

healthaliciousness.com/arti...