Selenium and Thyroditis

[babyblue1972]

Can anyone tell me if indeed Selenium is helpful in reducing antithyroglobulin antibodies or not? I read on the net that it sometimes works with antiperoxidase antibodies but not antithyrogolubulin antibodies?

[stella5349]

I am so glad this went up on the board after the last post I answered.. Selenium can be a helpful solution to lowering antibodies and slowing down thyroiditis.

The only thing is there are not enough effective studies to give that true result of suppression.

Back in the day - when I was absolutely horrified with the choking and swollen thyroid from antibody attacks I used selenium regularly to help control it and it did help me.

I still to this day pop Selenium when I feel the attacks are growing and I can control it with a regular dosing. I do notice when I don't take it - I will tighten up and realize I missed taking it. Especially when I am stressed out.

Good Luck

[dawnangela]

Stella, what exactly is Selenium? is it a Vitamin?    Dawn..

[Smilerdeb]

Here is the foods that contain Selenium.
I had my levels tested and was found to be near the high range so I dont take it via mineral vitamins.
Brazil nuts being 95% enriched with selenium.

Table 1: Selected food sources of selenium

Brazil nuts, dried, unblanched,
Tuna, light, canned in oil, drained,
Beef, cooked,
Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, frozen entrée,
Cod, cooked,
Turkey, light meat, roasted,
Beef chuck roast, lean only, roasted,
Chicken Breast, meat only, roasted,
Noodles, enriched, boiled,
Macaroni, elbow, enriched, boiled,
Egg, whole, 1 medium
Cottage cheese, low fat
Oatmeal, instant, fortified, cooked,
Rice, white, enriched, long grain, cooked,
Rice, brown, long-grained, cooked,
Bread, enriched, whole wheat, commercially prepared,
Walnuts, black, dried,
Bread, enriched, white, commercially prepared,
Cheddar cheese, 1 ounce

[Barb135]

I take selenium every day to help control the effects of the antibodies - TPO, as I'm negative for TG.  My antibody count has remained pretty close to the original count, but I can tell a difference in how I feel when I take the selenium - like Stella, it helps keep down the pain, swelling, choking feeling.  I can notice a difference if I forget for a couple days or so.  

Dawn - selenium is a mineral.

[dawnangela]

Thanks Smilerdeb and Barb..i much appreciate the info...Dawn.

[Doris66]

I have taken selenium every day for the last 2-3 years after having a TT 5 years ago.  I was told by my endocrinologist that he felt selenium was an excellent supplement to take.  I have to say that since being on the selenium I have felt calmer.

[dawnangela]

how do you take this? as a supplement pill? I cant find it here in the shops..is it Chemist you can get it? do you need to speak to a doc first?  Dawn

[Doris66]

It is widely available in the UK, I buy online from vitamins direct or get from any pharmacy.  No prescription needed here.  My endo told me that selenium is very lacking in our diet and he recommended it.

[dawnangela]

Thank you i will go look at my Chemist for it..i heard it helps reduce the choking feeling, i have this and want some relief....Dawn

[Barb135]

I know it's best to get our vitamins/minerals from our food like Deb said.  I don't know how it is in your country, but I've read a lot of articles that say the soils in the US are becoming depleted of a lot of them - selenium included, so there's not guarantee that when we eat those foods that typically have it, that it's really there.  

It's readily available OTC in the US as well at drug stores, grocery stores, health food stores or other places that sell vitamins/minerals.  

[Smilerdeb]

The Discount Chemist Warehouse stocks in under the manufacturer "Bio-Organics" in a red/pink bottle.
Thats the first mineral I noticed when I went on Calcium/D3 and also Cranberry capsules for UTI's (which I havent had for nearly 2 years now).
I didnt need Selenium as blood tests showed mine near the top of the range but I firmly believe in it.

[dawnangela]

Ok thanks..Maybe i should have mine checked b4 i take it, we do have a discount ware house Chemist here so that's good to know..Dawn x

[Smilerdeb]

Yeah Dawn....it takes about 3 days to come back though as it has to go to Sydney.
Mine came back good so I never bothered with Selenium.
Might be a good idea to get the labs done first.
While you are at it...get yr Calcium, B12, D, Zinc and magnesium checked in the one hit.

Debs x