supplements??

I have been reading posts on supplements such as selenium and magnesium, what does this do for the thyroid?  If you are undiagnosed, like me, could a person get some relief of symptoms and do you know if it is safe?

[898]

These elements are believed to reduce the level of thyroid (TPO) antibodies . If no autoimmune condition is present, thereis no need to take these suppliments ( I am personally do not like to take the stuff from bottle; eggs are containing selenium)

[stella5349]

Magnesium is a mineral supplement used to reduce swelling and anxiety in some thyroid paitents - but mostly hypoT ones. It also benefits and helps with PMS symptoms. Hypo's bind the mineral instead of using it and most gets wasted out their urine - instead of using it in the body.

Selenium is a mineral used to that can assist on helping the conversion process with the Free T4 into Free T3 to help the thyroid absorb the mineral and disburse through the hormones. Normally if you have no conversion problem - selenium is not really needed.  Again - this is a hypoT situation.

Starting a mineral supplement must be understood by the patient. Toxic situations can happen. You must know what you are going into prior to dosing.

[Christy1950]

To Stalla5349 suggestion I would add Zinc, vitamin D, Vitamin E, Amino acids and iodine to help support a thyriod problem. It is also suggested that minerals are more important in driving the thyriod than vitamins especially Selenium and Zinc.
You will find that a lot of people on this website have been tested and found to be very low in vitamin D (this is essential in driving hormone production in the pituitary gland)that is because more and more people are not spending time outside it take about 15 minutes of sunshine per day to top up and with our busy life styles, cars, computers we find that we are not getting our daily top up.
Amino acids are very important as thyroid hormone is basically the amino acid tyrosine and with idodines attached.
I think if you take a normal go brand multi vitamin then you should be available to avoid any od until you get your levels checked. I don't think they have a test for Iodine and that is one of the major problems.  
Did you know that iodine deficiency diseases such as goiter, miscarriage, infertitlity and other sickness account for the suffering of over one billion people so I guess we are not alone with our suffering.

[jax190]

after reading posts on here i have tried a multi vitamin and mineral and also a selenium tablet as im from the uk we only get t4 supplements and i read somewhere that selenium along with iodine and zinc can help with the conversion of t4 to t3 i must admit i do feel better after two weeks of taking it. im not sure how good they would be if your not diagnosed but i would imagine as long as you dont start taking to high a dose it could help
good luck jackie  

[mommy2two2008]

Thanks everyone for your input on mineral supplements.  I am taking a multivitamin with biotin (spelling?) so I guess for now, I will just remain with that for fear of doing some other horrible thing to my body!  Anyone know if Omega 3 supplments are safe with thyroid problems?  Just don't want to overload my stupid thyroid!  Thanks all!

[shannon828]

I am a recent thyca patient (pap thyca dx in 3/08, surgery on 4/11 and 75 mcg RAI on 5/9) and have been on thyroid meds since my surgery on 4/11.  I was initially on Cytomel (12.5 twice a day) and then switched to Sythroid (125), which I have now been on for 6 weeks.  I was noticing a pretty serious dip in energy in the afternoons and decided to try some Selenium.  I take 200 mg around noontime and I have noticed a difference in my energy level, in terms of it staying constant throughout the day.  Interestingly enough, I feel pretty good on the 125 of Synthroid (could they have actually gotten the dosage right out of the gate?) but am wondering if since the Selenium seems to be working for me if I should be on a T3/T4 med or if using the supplement is sufficient.  Anyone have any experience with this?

[mommy2two2008]

Thanks for the info guys and gals - will have a chat with the endo on friday about supplements.