Restore Hashimoto's Thyroid Function with Selenium and Myo-Inositol

  Restore Autoimmune Thyroditis with Selenium and Inositol

References: Eur Rev Med Pha Sci, International Jr of Endocrinology, Jr Thyroid Research, 

This is quite a remarkable claim. Reversing Hashimoto's?!! This is like finding the Holy Grail. Hashimoto's is one of the most common autoimmune diseases in women affecting about 5% of women and 8-15 times as many women as men. There is a robust connection between wheat sensitivity and Hashimoto's, with celiac disease being documented the most firmly. 

In the functional medicine world, it goes without saying that Hashimoto's needs to be managed with the avoidance of gluten. Fasano has been the leading voice in advocating the role of gluten in making leaky gut and subsequent autoimmune disease. This study took 168 patients with TPO or anti-thyroglobulin antibodies and a TSH between 3-6. That's quite modest Hashimoto's. The higher the TPO, the more damaged the thyroid gland is, and the more prolonged course has been already endured. The free T4 and free T3 levels were still "normal". They were randomized to receive either 83 mg of selenium or 83 ng of selenium and 600 mg of myo-inositol for 6 months. The combination group had a better response and recovered their thyroid function better and felt better to boot. 

This isn't the first study to prove this effect, but it is the largest. Certainly we know the role of selenium, at least to some degree. The enzyme that catalyzes the production of free T3 has to lop off the fourth iodine of T4. It is called de-iodinase. It is based on the selenium atom. If you want to do a deep dive into de-iodinase, the ZRT blog has an excellent summary. Leave it sufficient to understand that there are three forms of de-iodinase which all help conserve iodine, balance thyroid function by maintaining the level of free T3 is a healthful range and responding to stress and starvation. 

There is less selenium in mid-west American soil, lots in Rocky Mountain soils. Hence, selenium deficiency is common. Myo-inositol is new player here. It actually looks like glucose, but it is structured differently. It plays a role in changing membrane signaling. It also plays a role in thyroid activation. Several studies demonstrated that myo-Inositol is the precursor of the synthesis of "phosphoinositides", which are part of the phosphatidylinositol signal transduction pathway across the plasma membrane, via the second messenger 1,4,5-triphosphate that modulates intracellular calcium release. That means it acts as a second messenger regulating the several like insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). 

And if you understood one word of that paragraph, you get an A. Bottom line, this unique combination of simple supplements appears to work together to target the missing links in the thyroid dysfunction called Hashimoto's. That might suggest that anyone might be on the edge of dysfunction, and are then tipped over by an extra stressor, gluten. If we catch you early, you can prevent that tipping and never get in trouble. 

WWW.What will work for me. Well, selenium is that critical element we all appear to be a bit short of. If you are reading this in Wyoming, you are likely getting enough because your soils have it. If you are in Wisconsin, you probably need to take a supplement. I'm intrigued that Bredesen considers it a critical part of his Alzheimer's pathway. That makes me in. Selenium is important. 

 Pop Quiz 

1. Hashimoto's is a rare Japanese thyroid problem. T or F                    Answer: False. It is common the world over, with up to 5% of women affected 

2. Hashimoto's damages the thyroid gland leading to all the symptoms of low thyroid. T or F             Answer: In a nutshell, yes. 

3. You can remarkably improve early Hashimoto's with selenium and a glucose analog called myo-inositol. Answer: That's this week's nugget. 

4. The physiology of thyroid function is well understood. T or F                             Answer: are you kidding, we are just on the surface and continue to be amazed at its complexity and nuance. 

5. Getting thyroid right, and selenium right, are critical to healthy brains:             Answer: Bingo!!!