Selenium, T3 access

[RichardEva]

I want to find out if anyone knows if selenium has any noticeable effect on conversion from T4 to T3, or any other supplement for that matter. Willing to try try something helpful while I investigate how to get T3, which I was on happily, in combimation with T4, for 20 years, The attitude of doctors fills me with despair. Why did they become doctors. Obviously, with some endos, to get rich on the misery of their under-medicated patients. How I am now is a mere shadow of who I was several months ago. Not only was T3 removed but T4 reduced. I am a patient with no thyroid. I oscillate between utter despair and trying to fight the sytem.

My recent T3 test was 16% into the normal range. Not nearly high enough.

Not entirely sure if it's worse because I live in N Ireland.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Unfortunately as thyroid patients we need to learn how to become our own health advocates and stand up to our doctors. Often taking them evidence of positive benefits of what we want and being confident in our knowledge can help. Persistence is also required at times.

Email [e-mail] for a list of doctors who may prescribe T3. Some are NHS, some private. Do also consider some private doctors who may use virtual consultations that will widen your location options.

Selenium can help conversion but it is possible to take too much and get adverse effects.

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

OPTIMAL vitamin levels also help conversion. See link for private companies offering tests with discount codes. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[RichardEva in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you, Jaydee1507.

I can certainly relate to low stomach acid and all the issues that causes. My GP is totally unhelpful and once I move from that practice I will do as you suggest. My endo, yesterday, was perfectly happy with my T3 of 3.7 so no help there either. I was on T3 withT4 for 20 years and T3 was removed last year. He says he might put me on a very small dose for 6 mth trial....I was so well on my 20-year trial! So frustrated and upset about the lack of basic understanding and knowledge.

[radd]

RichardEva,

Members (including myself) who have previously gained wellbeing through having x dose of T4 and x dose of T3, and whose meds were suddenly reduced or withdrawn have gone onto successfully self medicating. Members share sources from abroad and use private labs for testing.

Sorry you have suffered this too ☹️

Selenium is fabulous. Not only to encourage conversion but if you have any gland left it will encourage more production of thyroid hormone, and reduce TPOAb into the mix also. An out and out winner!

[RichardEva in reply to radd]

Thank you, Radd for this advice. Have started on Se and Zn ionic solutions and I think they are really helping with the severe skin rash which started In Jan. It has improved but not to the extent of wearing short sleeves yet!