Micronutrient therapy
| Selenium and its function in the thyroid | |
| The thyroid has the highest Seleniumium content in the human body due to the expression of various Seleniumoproteins. In principle, glutathione peroxidase is distinguished as the body's antioxidative protective system, thioredoxin reductases (which support antioxidative processes but also co-regulate transcription factors) and various deiodinases whose effect depends mainly on the localization in the body (such as conversion of T4 (thyroxine) into T3 (triiodothyronine) and T3 into T2 (diiodothyronine) in the thyroid and muscles). Selenium also plays an essential role in the synthesis of thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Especially people suffering from Seleniumium deficiency can benefit from additional Seleniumium intake. Due to an increase in T4 production, the T3/T4 ratio also changes with increasing age, making a possible increase in T3 synthesis caused by Seleniumium desirable in older people. | |
| Thyroid hypothyroidism) | |
| Hypothyroidism is caused by a long-term reduction in the production of thyroid hormones. The deficiency of these hormones can be caused by a reduced stimulation by pituitary gland, defective hormone synthesis or impaired cellular conversion from T3 to T4. General symptoms of hypothyroidism are listlessness, fatigue, cold hands and feet and depressive conditions. In the nutritional adjuvant therapy of hypothyroidism, iodine is an important micronutrient, as it is a component of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 and thus ensures the normal function of the thyroid gland. Current research also suggests that reduced zinc levels could be linked to the development of hypothyroidism. Taking zinc with existing hypothyroidism can therefore have positive effects on the restoration of normal thyroid function. A lack of vitamin D can also play an essential role in the pathogenesis of hypothyroidism. In a November 2013 study, both reduced vitamin D and
Iron is an essential co-factor for the endogenous formation of thyroid hormones. A deficiency of iron impairs thyroid function due to reduced TPO activity. The changed thyroid parameters observed in iron deficiency do not yet have a disease value per se, but may become relevant in combination with other factors in iodine deficiency goiter or autoimmune thyroiditis. The more severe the iron deficiency, the more pronounced the negative effects on the thyroid gland seem to be, especially with regard to struma development and the formation of thyroid hormones. However, it is also true that the greater the iodine deficiency, the more negative the effects of iron deficiency appear to be on the thyroid gland. Iron deficiency also impairs the therapeutic success of iodine substitution. Several clinical intervention studies have shown that in children with goiter and simultaneous iron deficiency, combined iron/iodine supplementation has a more beneficial effect on thyroid size and thyroid hormone status than in children with exclusive iodine substitution. |
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| Thyroid hyperthyroidism) | |
| Thyroid hyperfunction is caused in more than 95% of cases by Basedow's disease or functional autonomy. Typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism are restlessness, nervousness, sleep disturbances and increased appetite. L-carnitine L-carnitine could prove to be an effective treatment for hyperthyroidism, as the body's own stores are reduced in the case of a predominant hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. Carnitine supports various functions in the thyroid hormone metabolism. Studies indicate that by supplementing L-carnitine a reduction of symptoms can be achieved and possibly a preventive effect can be achieved. Finally, the growth and size of an existing struma are also influenced by the height of the Seleniummirror. In both iodine and Seleniumium deficient individuals, intake of iodine alone has no positive effects on struma volume. Selenium can reduce the size of a struma in the long run. A reduction of the coenzyme Q10 plasma level is also known in hyperthyroidism. According to the study, this deficit is attributed to the increased mitochondrial activity in hyperthyroidism, as the acceleration of the mitochondrial respiratory chain consumes more coenzyme Q10. Due to the increased metabolic activity and the influence of the thyroid gland on the vitamin B2 concentration, an increased Oxidative- and Nitrosative stress, and Hyperhomocysteinemia, and to consider a related nutritional treatment.
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| Micronutrients in autoimmune thyroid diseases | |
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Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland, which occurs at sufficiently high iodine levels. A misguided mechanism of the immune system destroys the tissue with T-lymphocytes. This leads to chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. The disease can manifest itself in the early stages with symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as nervousness, rapid heartbeat and ravenous hunger. Later on, however, the symptoms of hypothyroidism are in the foreground: a reduced body temperature, depressive moods and a lack of drive determine the course of the disease. Several studies show that Selenium leads to a significant reduction of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO antibodies). This reduction in antibody concentration can be detected after six months as well as after nine and twelve months, thus underlining the importance of long-term Seleniumium uptake. Regardless of the reduction in antibodies, an improvement in the well-being of patients can also be achieved, possibly explained by the direct effect of Seleniumium on cerebral and cognitive functions.
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