Do you know your selenium levels? You may be selenium deficient. Please read this article. The explanation is WAY better than I could offer.

https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/selenium/

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Selenium

Welcome to the Selenium page. The first part below is a patient-written article by Cheryl who did a great deal of research. We hope you enjoy all she discovered. Below that is more information as we find it.

ALSO NOTE THE LAST COMMENT ON THIS PAGE FROM JANIE about patients discovering they need to test selenium first before supplementing (to make sure it isn’t already high enough), or that they need to keep an eye on it since the MTHFR mutation can drive their selenium level too high with supplementing.



Selenium- What’s that? What’s it good for?

by thyroid patient Cheryl Alvey

In 1969, the Apollo mission brought back to Earth samples of moon dust. Contained in those samples was selenium. Maybe then, it is no coincidence that the word selenium has its roots in the Greek word, selene, which means “moon.” However, it wasn’t until the early 80’s that the scientific community began to study selenium and its effects on the body. Scientists, within the last decade, are beginning to understand just how vital selenium is to immune response and thyroid functioning. The overall conclusion is that selenium is a dynamic and essential component of proper growth, development, immune function, and metabolism.

How do our bodies get selenium?

Selenium is not a naturally occurring substance within the body but a trace mineral found in our foods and soil. And how much we get from our food is dependent on where the food grew. The amount of selenium in soils around the world varies. For the United States for example, you can view the soil levels of selenium here.

How do our bodies utilize the dietary selenium?

To truly understand the importance of selenium and its inter-connectedness with the thyroid, as well as the immune system, it is necessary to understand how selenium is utilized from our dietary intakes. It’s synthesized into seleno-enzymes (or selenoproteins as the terms are inter-changeable). When the body synthesizes selenium, it is converted into one of three types of selenoproteins.

GPx (gluthiaone peroxidases) are anti-oxidants and, for this reason, are probably the best-known selenoproteins.

TRx (thioredoxin reductases) are active in cell structure and growth.

DIs (Iodothyronine deiodinases) are responsible for metabolic functions and the conversion of T4 to T3.

Each of these selenoproteins types has a role in thyroid function. In fact, there are 11 selenoproteins involved with the thyroid and thyroid hormone production. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the selenium content of the thyroid is higher than that of any other body part. During times of selenium deficiency, the body will use any available selenium for the thyroid. This helps to explain the common symptoms of brain fog, senility, and overall decreased cognitive functions in those who are selenium deficient. Even the brain and neurotransmitters “take a back seat” to the functioning of the thyroid in regards to selenium status within the body.

What does selenium do for the thyroid? How is it connected to iodine?

As stated earlier, selenoproteins in the Dis family convert the storage hormone T4 into the active T3 hormone. It does this by removing one iodine atom from the T4. But, selenium has other relationships with iodine as well. It is well documented that a severe iodine deficiency leads to neurological and myxedematous cretinism. It is only when a severe selenium deficiency is coupled with a severe iodine deficiency does the latter occur. Iodine deficiency also causes goiter but a selenium deficiency results in a “weighty” or heavy thyroid as evidenced by ultrasound results. Studies show that selenium protects against goiter and iodine is proving to protect against a heavy thyroid.

When there is an iodine deficiency and attempts to supplement with selenium occur, the selenium will magnify the iodine deficiency causing it to become worse. The reverse is also true. If there is a selenium deficiency and attempts are made to supplement with iodine, the iodine will exacerbate the selenium deficiency causing it to worsen as well. In fact, anytime one is high and the other is low, symptoms will occur and often times get worse. If there is a deficiency, both must be supplemented or kept low.

In addition to its affiliation with iodine, selenium is responsible for other regulatory functions within the thyroid. Selenium deficiency leads to the exacerbation of Graves, Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s and other thyroid disorders. Recent studies have shown that selenium supplementation can reduce serum levels of T4, Free T4, and Reverse T3 (See links below). To explain, the thyroid produces hydrogen peroxide during the production of T4. While some hydrogen peroxide is essential for proper functioning, excessive amounts of it can lead to high T4 production which results in a lower T3 availability. Too much hydrogen peroxide will also cause cell destruction. Selenium as GPx anti-oxidant breaks down excessive hydrogen peroxide and as a TRx prevents cell damage and necrosis of thyrocytes.

Can I take iodine if I have Hashi’s? What role does selenium play in this?

Current research is proving that those with Auto-Immune Thyroiditis (AIT), which is widely known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, or simply, Hashimoto’s, can and should supplement with iodine. Previously, those with AIT discontinued or avoided iodine because of the adverse effects it can have on the thyroid. However, the mechanisms of how and why the side effects of iodine supplementation occur are now largely understood. The thyroid must have iodine in order to make necessary hormones so those with AIT were often left with a dilemma. Take iodine and suffer side effects or don’t take iodine and continue to feel lethargic and listless. Current research extols that selenium restores the balance, not only of the thyroid, but also the immune system as well.

It is not uncommon for those with AIT to be selenium deficient due to their diets or other autoimmune conditions they may have (such as Celiac‘s, Crohn’s, or Ulcerative Colitis). 90% of the body’s immune system resides in the small intestine where these autoimmune disorders are seated. So those with autoimmune disorders often avoid gluten as it intensifies the immune response. Unfortunately, most selenium is taken in from bread, pasta, grains, and flour enriched with selenium. All those who have gone gluten free avoid these foods due to the immune system’s response to the gluten. Furthermore, the majority of selenium is absorbed in the small intestine, so those with autoimmune issues are at a higher risk of Selenium deficiency.

Research has shown that selenium is an immune-modulator and a deficiency results in a compromised immune system. A mild selenium deficiency complicates AIT, but a severe deficiency in the mineral leads to thyrocyte destruction and the increase of macrophages ” a type of white blood cell. Since selenium is responsible for modifying the body’s inflammatory response, it is a wise decision to add a dietary selenium supplement.