Why Thyroid Health Is Completely Dependent on Selenium

The thyroid is essential to some of the body’s most critical processes, including the development of the nervous and skeletal systems.^[1] For the thyroid to function normally, it must receive the right nutrition, and that means getting enough selenium. Selenium is an essential mineral^[2] and being deficient can lead to serious health concerns such as Keshan disease^[3], myxoedematous cretinism^[4], Graves’ disease^[5], and even thyroid destruction.^[6]

Although the body requires selenium, it does not produce selenium and you must get it through your diet. For most people, this isn’t a concern since many common foods are a good source of selenium. Additionally, selenium is available as a nutritional supplement.

Regardless of the source, selenium is a critical nutrient for the body, and nowhere is this more evident than the thyroid. In fact, the thyroid has more selenium content per gram than any other organ. It's home to proteins called selenoproteins^[7] which contain selenium-based amino acids. Before I discuss why this is so important to thyroid health, let’s first understand exactly what the thyroid does.

What Is a Thyroid?

Your thyroid gland is part of your endocrine system. Located at the base of your throat, the thyroid produces the hormones that play a major role in your body's growth, maturation, and metabolic processes.^{[8, 9, 10]}

The hormones produced by the thyroid are triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4), and calcitonin. T3 and T4 are critical for a normal metabolism.^{[11, 12, 13, 14]} T4 also supports normal brain function^[15], while calcitonin promotes normal bone growth.^[16]

How to Support Thyroid Health

There are a few simple steps you can take to support your thyroid. It is imperative that you minimize your stress levels. Stress creates a hormone response that may negatively impact thyroid function.^[17] Exercise is an extremely effective way to combat stress.^[18] Exercise can also help stimulate the secretion of thyroid hormones!^[19]

Getting enough sleep also helps support a healthy thyroid.^[20] Thyroid hormones can directly impact sleep quality.^[21] Avoiding toxins like BPA, fluoride, and pesticides is also a smart strategy as they can have a detrimental effect on the thyroid.^{[22, 23, 24]}

Following a balanced diet is one of the easiest ways to support your thyroid. Eat selenium-rich foods, as well as iodine-rich foods, as both are necessary for the synthesis of thyroid hormones.^[25] While you're at it, don't forget about vitamin A, which also helps support normal thyroid health.^[26] When considering your diet, incorporate gluten-free grains since gluten has been associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases.^[27]

What Selenium Does for the Thyroid

The importance of selenium for your thyroid cannot be overstated. Most people know that iodine is critical to thyroid health. Selenium is less well-known but equally important. Along with iodine and vitamin A, selenium helps remove thyroid-harming substances and supports normal thyroid structure.^[7]

Not having enough selenium impairs thyroid hormone metabolism. This is because iodine-based enzymes, called iodothyronine deiodinases, require selenium for synthesis — the process of making the enzymes.^[28] Iodothyronine deiodinases exist in several forms and seem to play a role in preventing hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).^[29] These enzymes are essential for the activation of thyroid hormones. So, while iodine tends to get most of the credit for thyroid health, it cannot actually carry out its function without help from selenium.

Your body does not produce its own selenium. All selenium must be obtained through food or supplements. Once ingested, the element is broken down into enzymes called selenoproteins.^[30] These enzymes exist in many forms, but two of the best understood are glutathione peroxidase (GP_x) and thioredoxin reductase (TR_x). The GP_x and TR_x enzymes promote antioxidant abilities on a cellular level.^[31] TR_x also aids in cell growth and helps process dehydroascorbic acid into vitamin C in the body.^[32] None of these vital enzymes could exist without selenium.

Selenium has also been shown to combat several thyroid-debilitating conditions.

How the Thyroid Relies on Selenium to Ward Off Disease

Common thyroid maladies can be caused by low selenium intake, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.^[33] With this condition, the thyroid first becomes inflamed and secretes excessive amounts of hormones. Then, over time, the gland starts producing far less than it requires.

Conditions like thyroiditis can lead to an imbalance of hormones and that can be the start of major disruptions in the body's normal processes. Hypothyroidism, which is one such potential consequence, is a condition in which the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones.^[34] The outcome can be serious and include abnormal heartbeat^[35], low body temperature^[36], and nervous system disorders.^[37]

Hypothyroidism can even disrupt the body’s ability to metabolize proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.^[38] What can contribute to hypothyroidism? You guessed it, selenium deficiency.^[39]

To learn more about how selenium supports your body, check out how selenium plays a role in human nutrition.

Points to Remember

If thyroid health is important to you, you cannot overlook the importance of selenium. The body is made up of many parts that work together. Each part must be fueled with essential nutrients like selenium.In addition to supporting thyroid health, selenium also plays a role in combating free radicals.

Global Healing's Thyroid Health Kit™ provides selenium, as well as iodine and vitamin B12 — all the best nutrients to support a healthy thyroid gland for 30 days!