DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Selenium helps the antioxidant defense in the thyroid by eliminating oxygen free radicals created during the generation of thyroid hormones. Selenium integrates it into selenoproteins, which have significant antioxidant activity.

In patients with recurrent hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease (GD), selenium supplementation may improve thyroid function and increase the effectiveness of the antithyroid medication.

Table of Content

• What is Hyperthyroidism?
• Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
• Causes of Hyperthyroidism
• Selenium for Hyperthyroidism
• Precautions for using selenium
• Final words

What is Hyperthyroidism?

When the thyroid gland produces an abnormally large quantity of hormones, thyroxine, a condition known as hyperthyroidism, often known as an overactive thyroid, may develop. The acceleration of your body's metabolism may result from hyperthyroidism, which can cause unexpected weight loss and a quick or irregular pulse. Hyperthyroidism may be treated using a variety of different approaches.

The failure to treat hyperthyroidism may result in several major health issues, including an irregular heartbeat, which may raise the likelihood of developing blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related problems. Graves' ophthalmopathy is the name of the condition affecting the eyes. It can produce double vision, sensitivity to light, and eye discomfort.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

Because hyperthyroidism might include symptoms similar to other health conditions, it can be difficult for your doctor to identify. In addition to this, it may bring on a broad range of indications and symptoms, including the following:

• A weight loss occurs even when your hunger and the amount of food you consume either remain the same or grow.
• Tachycardia is a rapid heartbeat that is often more than 100 beats per minute.
• The abnormal rhythm of the heart (arrhythmia)
• The thumping sound made by your heart (palpitations)
• A more ravenous appetite
• A state characterized by nervousness, anxiety, and irritation
• Tremor is often described as a bit of shaking in the hands and fingers.
• Sweating
• Alterations to menstrual cycle patterns
• Heightened awareness of the effects of heat
• Alterations in bowel habits, most notably a more significant number of bowel motions each day
• An enlarged thyroid gland, often known as a goiter, may manifest as a bulge at the front or side of the neck.
• Weariness and a lack of muscular strength
• Trouble falling or staying asleep.
• A thinning of the skin
• A thin, brittle coat of hair

Older people are more likely to have no indications or symptoms or very mild ones, such as an elevated heart rate, sensitivity to heat, and a propensity to grow weary during regular activity.

Causes of Hyperthyroidism

Several potential factors might lead to hyperthyroidism, including the following:

The disease Graves

Graves disease is the most prevalent cause of hyperthyroidism. It is an autoimmune ailment that causes your body to produce excessive thyroid hormone. It affects around one percent of the total population in the United States.

Thyroid Nodules

You have abnormal growths or tumors on your thyroid gland that look like this. Thyroid nodules do not have cancerous cells inside; nonetheless, they may cause an increase in thyroid hormone synthesis, which can lead to hyperthyroidism.

Thyroiditis

This is called inflammation of your thyroid, and it may occur as a result of one of these three things:

• Subacute thyroiditis is characterized by painful enlargement of the thyroid gland and may be caused by a virus or bacterium.
• The time immediately after a woman's child delivery is known as the postpartum period.
• An asymptomatic and potentially enlarged thyroid is most likely caused by an autoimmune disease (in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid).

High-iodine consumption

Iodine is found in several foods and pharmaceuticals, and when consumed in excessive quantities, it may cause your thyroid to become overstimulated.

Increased Thyroid Hormone Medication

People given thyroid hormones to treat an underactive thyroid gland may sometimes develop hyperthyroidism. This illness is caused by a thyroid gland that is working too hard. If the recommended dose of thyroid medication is significantly exceeded, this might lead to increased thyroid activity and, consequently, the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Consuming an excessive amount of iodine: 

If you have risk factors for hyperthyroidism and consume an excessive amount of iodine (via your food or drugs), it might cause your thyroid to generate more thyroid hormone. Iodine can be obtained in a variety of ways. 

Iodine is a mineral that is required for the production of thyroid hormone by your thyroid. It is also possible for hyperthyroidism to be caused by receiving intravenous iodinated contrast (iodine "dye").

Selenium For Hyperthyroidism

Hypothyroidism can develop when there is an insufficiency of the mineral zinc, which is required for the generation of thyroid hormone. People who have hyperthyroidism may experience improved thyroid function if they take 30 mg of zinc per day, either on its own or in conjunction with selenium.

Here you can check out Vorst's Lycopene with Zinc and Selenium 30mg 60 Capsules and Selenium 90 Capsules 200mcg.

Precautions for using selenium

The presence of the mineral selenium is necessary for the body to metabolize thyroid hormones properly. According to some research, the mineral selenium may be able to alleviate some of the signs and symptoms of autoimmune thyroid disease, such as thyroid eye disease.

People who use anti-thyroid drugs may return their thyroid levels to normal more rapidly if they also take selenium supplements than those who do not. Examples of foods that are high in selenium include:

• Brazil nuts
• Cereals and kinds of pasta with added nutrients
• Rice
• Whites of eggs
• Beans in the oven
• Oatmeal
• Spinach

Other foods high in selenium, such as tuna, halibut, shrimp, ham, egg yolks, and cottage cheese, are also high in iodine, which may interfere with the effectiveness of iodine treatment. Consume rice, pasta, and cereals that have been fortified, and avoid rice that is prepared with substances that contain a significant amount of iodine. Consume moderate portions of lean meats such as beef, chicken, and turkey.

Final words

Have your healthcare practitioner check your selenium levels before you start eating handfuls of Brazil nuts or taking selenium supplements. This is important before deciding whether or not to add selenium to your diet. They will then be able to advise you as to whether or not you might benefit from increasing the amount of selenium in your diet or taking supplements.

Remember that if you decide to take selenium pills, you should figure out how much selenium you get from your food and add any selenium from multivitamins and other supplements to that total.

Source

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2020.608428/full

https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1745-6215-14-119

https://www.verywellhealth.com/selenium-and-your-thyroid-4134998