CureZone   Log On   Join
Image Embedded Selenium for Hashimotos Thyroiditis
 
HealthEnthusiast Views: 10,076
Published: 13 y
 
This is a reply to # 1,988,769

Selenium for Hashimotos Thyroiditis


 http://jeffreydach.com/2009/11/07/selenium-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis-by-jeff...

Selenium for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

by Jeffrey Dach MD

Selenium molecular structure hashimotos thyroiditis

 

 

 

 

 

Susan has Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune thyroid disorder causing fatigue, puffy face and muscle weakness.  For the past year, she had been under the care of other doctors who started thyroid medication (Synthroid), and tested her thyroid antibody levels.  The disturbing thing was that her antibodies kept climbing higher on each follow up lab test.  The doctors had no explanation, so she asked me if there was something else that could be done.  

 

Selenium Can Decrease Antibody Levels

As it turns out, there is a trace mineral called selenium that plays an important role in thyroid biochemistry. 
Selenium deficiency has been implicated in the etiology of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and selenium supplementation has been found beneficial. 
 
Three Selenium Studies Published in the Peer Reviewed Medical Literature

Showing Selenium is Beneficial in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

The first study from Crete was published in the 2007 Thyroid Journal. 
This study reported a 21 % reduction in TPO antibodies after one year of selenomethionine  supplements (200 mcg per day).  

Selenium electron shell, Hashimotos Thyroid TPO antibodiesA second
study from Germany from the 2002 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism showed a 40 % reduction in antibody levels after selenium supplementation with 9 of 36 (25%) patients completely normalizing their antibody levels.

Left images: selenium diagrams courtesy of wikimedia commons. 

A
third study done in Turkey by Omer Turker et al. was published in the 2006 Journal of Endocrinology.  They showed a 30% decrease in anti-thyroid antibodies after three months of L-selenomethionine supplementation at 200 mcg per day in women with Hashimotos thyroiditis. The starting average TPO antibodies of 803 and after three months the average was 572.  The below bar chart shows the data from Omer Turker et al.



Above chart: Thyroid antibody (TPOAb) concentrations at the beginning of the study (light pink) and 3 months after treatment (arrow) with 200 mg L-selenomethionine/day (group S2).  Higher Light pink bar shows antibody levels before starting treatment.  Lower Dark pink bar (arrow) shows decrease in antibody levels after three months of selenium supplementation.  Bar Chart Image courtesy of
Omer Turker et al. Journal of Endocrinology.

Why is Selenium So Important for Thyroid Function?

Recent
advances in research
into thyroid cell physiology shows that selenium is very important for thyroid function.  There are at least 30 selenium dependent proteins, including the glutathione peroxidase enzyme, and the Iodothyronine deiodinases enzyme (this is the one that converts thyroxine (T4) to bioactive  (T3).  These preteins all need selenium as a co-factor in order to function properly.  The selenoprotein, glutathione peroxidase,  protects thyroid cells from damage by H2O2 produced by the thyroid cell.  H2O2 is needed as a normal step in thyroid hormone production, However, too much H202 can damage the thyroid cell.  In the event of selenium deficiency, the glutathione peroxidase enzyme cannot do its job protecting the thyroid cell, and the thyroid cells are damaged by excess H2O2.  The current theory is that this damaged cell material is then recognized by the immune system as foreign, leading to Hashimoto's autoimmune disease. 

Back to the Patient

Susan was started on her selenium supplements.  In addition, her thyroid medication was switched from Synthroid to natural dessicated thyroid.  Three months later Susan returned for follow up labs which showed decline in antibody levels.  Although not all patients will see a dramatic decline in antibody levels, I have found that many patients will benefit from selenium supplementation.

A quick note about thyroid testing and treatment

A good thyroid testing protocol includes the following lab values, TSH, Free T3, Free T4, TPO Abs, Tgb Abs, reverse T3, selenium level, and iodine level.  The thyroid panel is usually part of a larger evaluation with additional lab tests tailored to the clinical history and examination. A good thyroid treatment protocol uses natural dessicated thyroid medication such as Nature-throid from RLC labs.  Dosage for natural dessicated thyroid medication varies, based on residual thyroid function, body weight, starting thyroid labs, and other variables. 

Selenium Safety or Toxicity Depends on Dosage

Although
Selenium is an inexpensive mineral supplement available without a prescription at the health food store, I would recommend working closely with your physician if you are considering selenium supplementation.  Although selenium is generally considered safe at standard doses, very high dosage can cause selenium toxicity.  In addition, your physician will determine if you need  thyroid medication, the type and dosage of the medication, etc.  By the way, for those looking for a food source for selenium, Brazil nuts are high in selenium.

Testing and Treatment in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

David Brownstein MD Overcoming Thyroid DisordersThyroid function in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis can have a variable course, with thyroid function varying over time.  The need for thyroid medication will also vary depending upon thyroid function which can change over time. Lab studies at any one time may show low, normal or high thyroid function in patients with elevated antibody levels and Hashimoto's thyroid disease.  David Brownstein's protocols are excellent recommendations regarding thyroid testing and treatment. See his book, "Overcoming Thyroid Disorders
".

Dr. Brownstein’s Book, Overcoming Thyroid Disorders, 2nd Edition shows how a holistic treatment program can effectively treat Hashimoto’s Disease. 
Overcoming Thyroid Disorders provides information on safe and effective natural therapies with over 30 actual case studies. The book contains information on:  Natural Thyroid Hormone, Bioidentical Natural Hormones, Diet, Vitamins and Minerals Important for Thyroid Function.

(left above image, book cover, Overcoming Thyroid Disorders courtesy of David Brownstein MD).


Web Sites with Reliable Information about Selenium for Hashimoto's

Janie Bowthorpe's book and the
Stop the Thyroid Madness Blog is an excellent source of reliable information. Mary Shomon's, Thyroid web site and newsletter is also an excellent source of reliable information.  Beware and avoid anonymous message boards that may give false or incorrect information about selenium.   One question to ask about information on anonymous message boards: Is the information backed up by citations or references in the peer reviewed medical literature? If not, then it may not be reliable information.  


Disclosure of Financial Interest: I have no financial interest in any books or supplements mentioned in this article, with the exception of my own book, Natural Medicine 101 available on Amazon.  Our office does provide pharmaceutal grade supplements with a small markup to cover costs as a convenience to our own patients, however, we do not sell nutritional supplements to the public at large. 
 
Articles with related Interest:

The Thyroid Nodule Epidemic by Jeffrey Dach MD

The Low Thyroid Condition

Jeffrey Dach MD
4700 Sheridan Suite T
Hollywood Fl 33021
954-983-1443
http://www.jeffreydach.com/  
http://www.drdach.com/  
http://www.naturalmedicine101.com/  
http://www.truemedmd.com/  

 

 

 

 

Share


 
Printer-friendly version of this page Email this message to a friend
Alert Moderators
Report Spam or bad message  Alert Moderators on This GOOD Message

This Forum message belongs to a larger discussion thread. See the complete thread below. You can reply to this message!


 

Donate to CureZone


CureZone Newsletter is distributed in partnership with https://www.netatlantic.com


Contact Us - Advertise - Stats

Copyright 1999 - 2025  www.curezone.org

0.094 sec, (9)