List Of Supplements (minerals)

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M FREAKY

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List Of Supplements (minerals)

MINERALS

BORON

(Increases estrogen which suppresses thyroid function.)

HYPERS: 3-6 mg per day.

HYPOS: Probably don't need extra, unless estrogen is low. Usually hypos have high estrogen and low progesterone and testosterone.

CALCIUM and MAGNESIUM

(Regulates heart rate and builds bone.)

HYPERS: Take with magnesium, 1:1 ratio to suppress "thyroid storms. HyperT interferes with calcium metabolism and promotes osteoporosis, so take at least 1000 mg each of calcium and magnesium.

HYPOS: Take cal/mag in a 2:1 ratio, as needed, perhaps 600/300 mg.

CHROMIUM

(Involved in glucose metabolism and insulin production. The conversion of T4 to T3 is influenced by insulin, which is probably the reason why diabetics have low thyroid function.)

HYPERS: 200 mcg per day.

HYPOS: 400 mcg per day.

COPPER

(Copper seems to be the most important mineral for hypers to take. Copper deficiency has been shown to cause elevated levels of thyroid hormones. It is also essential for monoamine oxidase production which degrades hormones after they have fulfilled their function. Take on full stomach, since it may produce nausea at first.)

HYPERS: 6-10 mg per day. Copper is the most important mineral for hyperT, so take copper first.

HYPOS: 0-3 mg per day. Hypos may have excess copper which is suppressing the thyroid.

IODINE

(Kelp) (Most essential mineral for thyroid hormone production--deficiency of iodine and/or selenium causes goiter, a swelling of the thyroid gland. A goiter is the body’s attempt to increase the production of thyroid hormones from an inadequate supply of nutrients. Replenishing those nutrients will enable the body to resorb the goitrous tissue and allow the thyroid to return to its normal size.)

HYPERS: Don't take iodine or kelp until copper is built up. In cases of goiter, supplementing with iodine with insufficient selenium will make the goiter worse. Once copper has been supplemented for awhile, test with one kelp tablet. If hyper symptoms are not increased, gradually increase the kelp up to 6 tablets per day.

HYPOS: Start with one table per day and build up slowly to 6 tablets per day.

IRON

(Iron is a critical mineral, because while it is very necessary and often low in thyroid disease, iron intake without a corresponding intake of copper can deplete copper. Iron works with copper to build hemoglobin, so therefore too much of either can deplete the other. Usually in hyperthyroidism, copper is deficient and has to be built up first. Once it is replenished, iron supplementation with the copper (probably in a ratio of no more than 5:1, iron:copper) will then help both minerals get built up. If hyper symptoms increase, stop or reduce the iron.) In hypothyroidism, iron is probably more deficient than copper and so should be supplemented first. Once iron is built up then a small amount (2-3 mg) of copper can be added. Iron increases body temperature by increasing norepinephrine and increasing cellular oxygen, which helps the low body temperature problem in hypothyroidism. Iron is known as the strength mineral.)

HYPERS: After copper has been supplemented for a few days, try a small amount of iron. Gradually increase to about 18 mg.

HYPOS: Take 18-36 mg per day.

LITHIUM


(Lithium, sodium, and potassium are important components in the cellular pumps that transport minerals and amino acids across cell membranes. A deficiency of lithium may cause the mineral and amino acid deficiencies we see in hyperthyroidism. Studies have indicated that manic-depression may develop from a lithium deficiency (hyperthyroidism is associated with manic-depression) and some psychiatric patients get hyperthyroidism when lithium treatment is abruptly ended. Limiting sodium and potassium intake for hypers seems important in helping correct the imbalance that may be the result of a lithium deficiency. It also appears that hypos may need more sodium and potassium and perhaps less lithium. As of 7-3-99 I am studying lithium and its relationship to sodium and potassium and hope to be able to add more information to this soon. Most nutrition books including the Nutrition Almanac do not even mention lithium, so I’ve been unable to find any information on a reasonable amount for supplementation.. Because hyperT is associated with an abrupt termination of lithium supplementation, be careful.)

HYPERS: Lithium orotate 120 mg. My best guess is to take one or two a day. (I am presently trying to determine what the proper dosage. I’ve taken up to four a day without any immediate noticeable effects.) It may be beneficial to limit sodium and potassium intake until lithium is replenished.

HYPOS: Avoid. Ensure adequate intake of sodium and potassium.

MAGNESIUM

(Essential for thyroid function and appears deficient in both hypos and hypers.)

(See instructions under calcium.)

MANGANESE


(Assists iron metabolism and plays a role in the production of thyroid hormone. The hair analyses of both hypers and hypos show that most are deficient in manganese and chromium. These two minerals work together. Manganese should not be taken by hypers without also taking copper and iron. I believe that manganese and chromium should be taken together and too much of one or the other may disrupt the balance between the two. It’s possible that once copper is built up, the body will tolerate more manganese and chromium and these two minerals are probably essential for complete recovery from thyroid disease.)

HYPERS: 5-10 mg per day. Make sure copper and iron are supplemented before manganese is started. If hyper symptoms are experienced, suspect manganese or zinc.

HYPOS: Take 10-20 mg per day.

MOLYBDENUM


(Assists copper utilization. Deficiency symptoms are similar to hyper symptoms.)

HYPERS: Take 250-500 mcg per day.

HYPOS: Unknown

POTASSIUM


(Increases cellular response to T3.)

HYPERS: Unknown

HYPOS: Eat high potassium foods like bananas and potatoes.

SELENIUM


(The essential mineral component of 5'-deiodinase enzymes which convert the prohormone T4 to the cellular active hormone T3. Deficiency of selenium will cause "low T3 Syndrome" where T4 levels are normal but T3 is low. Selenium and/or iodine deficiencies cause goiter. Selenium is the most important mineral to counter the toxic effects of heavy metals. Selenium is essential for production of glutathione peroxidase which is one of the three most important antioxidant defenses of the body. Can be toxic at levels of over 1000 mcg per day. Goiter will result from a selenium deficiency (or iodine deficiency), and many hypers and hypos have goiter.)

HYPERS: Take 200-600 mcg per day. If you have a known high level of mercury or other toxic metal, consider taking more. Start at 100 mcg and work up slowly.

HYPOS: Take 200-600 mcg of selenium per day. Mercury in silver amalgam fillings uses up selenium for detoxification. High amounts of amalgam fillings may require more selenium. Don't take over 600 mcg.

SILICON

(Supplement known as silica, from the plant horsetail. Assists collagen formation and seems to have thyroid function. Helps to antagonize aluminum which may cause copper excretion and hyperthyroidism.)

HYPERS: Take 2 per day. One information source recommends taking rests from this supplement, like 3 days on, then 2 days off. I've used it every day for about a year with no negative symptoms.

HYPOS: Same as Hypers.

SILVER

(Next to nothing is known about silver and the thyroid, but my guess is that there is some connection. Silver is just below copper in the Periodic Table and therefore has similar chemical properties. Copper and zinc have electrical properties and can be used to make a battery. Silver has similar but better electrical conductivity properties than copper, so there is the possibility that it is important for the same reasons copper is.

However, there is information that leads me to suspect that silver may be very important in controlling TED (thyroid eye disease.) As you will see in the cadmium file and the TED file, I suspect that cadmium (high in tobacco) is one of the prime causes of TED. Cadmium is just to the right of silver in the Periodic Table and probably an excess of cadmium will interfere with silver absorption. Silver has been shown in studies to inhibit fibroblast proliferation and this is the mechanism by which TED develops. See Silver.

I took colloidal silver during my recovery from hyperthyroidism, but have been unable to ascertain if it was important in the healing process or not. I can at least say that it didn’t hurt. I did not develop TED. My suggestion is to take 5 drops of colloidal silver per day or follow the directions on the bottle whether you are hyper or hypo.)

HYPERS: 5 Drops of Colloidal silver per day.

HYPOS: Same.

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M FREAKY

Super Moderator
SULFUR

(Supplement known at MSM--methylsulfanylmethane. Works with copper in many functions and may get depleted with copper supplementation. Deficiency causes aches in joints and muscles.)

HYPERS: After copper and iron are built up, start MSM (or when joints get sore.) Common supplement amounts are 1000-3000 mg.

HYPOS: Take 1000-3000 mg.

TRACE ELEMENTS


(Contains small amounts of all minerals. May be important in supplying unknown necessary trace elements. Ionized form best, colloidal form second best. Trace elements can also be obtained from seafoods.)

HYPERS: Supplement with recommended amount unless the iodine,

manganese, or zinc content increase hyper symptoms. If so, take sporadically. If you can't tolerate this at all, take copper and molybdenum until copper is built up and then re-try.

HYPOS: Take recommended amount.

VANADIUM

(I am still researching this, but vanadium seems to be involved in thyroid function. High vanadium levels have been found in the hair of manic/depressives. This means it may be a thyroid stimulant. Available as a supplement, vanadyl sulfate.)

HYPERS: Avoid. I am pretty sure hypers should never take vanadium. Whenever I've used it I've had increased hyper symptoms.

HYPOS: Unknown. There are reports that a vanadium deficiency is a part of diabetes and since many hypothyroids have either diabetes or hypoglycemia, it's possible that hypos are deficient. From my experience I feel vanadium stimulates the thyroid, but I would be very careful with this until more is known.

ZINC


(Works with copper, but also may increase thyroid function. This mechanism is unknown, but zinc may spare selenium because it also detoxifies heavy metals. May increase progesterone production, which stimulates thyroid hormone production. The optimum zinc to copper ratio is about 8:1, but hypers need a lower ratio and hypos a higher ratio. Take on full stomach since it may cause nausea. Take in morning as it may keep you awake if taken at night.)

HYPERS: After copper and iron are built up some, try a small amount of zinc. If tolerated take one to five milligrams of zinc per milligram of copper. If hyper symptoms increase, suspect zinc and reduce amount taken. Premenopausal women may find it better to supplement zinc during the first half of the month and use less or no zinc during the second half.

HYPOS: Take 30-100 mg of zinc to increase thyroid production. If rapid heart beat is felt at night or early morning, decrease zinc.



VITAMINS

A and D


(From fish oil. Usual capsules contain 10,000 IU of A and 400 IU of D. There is some evidence indicating that excessive amounts of vitamin D, possibly only the synthetic form added to foods, may be a problem. A study on rats showed that vitamin A deficiency causes hypothyroidism. Hypos have difficulty converting beta carotene to vitamin A, so supplement with a preformed vitamin A, such as from fish oil.)

HYPERS: Take 1-3 capsule per day. Get adequate amounts of sunshine. Several hypers have reported benefits from carrot juice. Hypers have an increased rate of conversion of beta carotene to vitamin A.

HYPOS: 1-3 capsules per day.

B-COMPLEX


(Vitamins usually included in B-complex will be listed separately. Some people may have to take individual B vitamins, while most may have to supplement extra B vitamins to the B-complex. It appears that the best way to get the B vitamins is to take a B-complex supplement (50 mg) with extra biotin (up to 1000 mcg) and extra PABA (up to 500 mg).<BR>

HYPERS: Take one or two 50 mg B-complex per day.

HYPOS: Same as Hypers.

B-1
(Thiamine. Believed essential for copper and sulfur metabolism. Also appears important for correcting eye involvement in Grave's. Many drugs including alcohol and tobacco destroy B-1 and I believe this is the mechanism by which these drugs increase the frequency of Grave's and eye involvement.)

HYPERS: Up to 200 mg or more.

HYPOS: Up to 100 mg or more or taken in B-complex.

B-2
(Riboflavin. Believed essential for copper metabolism. Feelings of eye irritation or the sensation of grit under the eyelids indicates B-2 deficiency.)

HYPERS: 100-200 mg.

HYPOS: 100 mg or taken in B-complex.

B-3 \
(Niacin. Niacinamide is in most multiples. Niacin is a serotonin precursor, which calms and counters the catecholamine hormones which produce feelings of fear and anxiety. Niacin may be better than niacinamide but causes flushing and requires adaptation. If you've never taken niacin before, be aware that you could get a total body flush which makes you hot and itchy all over. It is not dangerous, but many people have gone to the hospital emergency room convinced that they were in real trouble. To minimize the flush, take on a full stomach and start with 25 mg. at a time, before increasing it.)

HYPERS: Take 100-200 mg a day.

HYPOS: Take 100 mg a day.

B-5
(Pantothenic Acid. May be involved in copper metabolism. Important for adrenal health.)

HYPERS: 100-500 mg.

HYPOS: 100-200 mg.

B-6
(Pyridoxine. Essential for zinc deficiency. Hypos are usually deficient in zinc and B-6. Helps regulate sodium/potassium balance which is disturbed in thyroid diseases and helps prevent water retention in the extremities. Sodium/potassium balance controls the transport of essential nutrients into the cells. If you feel pain in the wrist--carpal tunnel syndrome--take extra B-6 and zinc.)

HYPERS: You may not want to take this at first to prevent excess zinc metabolism and possible hyper symptoms, but later, you’ll need to take this to balance your B vitamins.

HYPOS: Take 100-200 mg.

B-12
(Contains cobalt. Facilitates iron metabolism and for treatment of anemia. May deplete iron if taken without iron.)

HYPERS: Probably don't need extra B-12. Amount in B-complex is adequate.

HYPOS: May be deficient. Check levels and supplement if necessary.

BIOFLAVONOIDS, RUTIN, QUERCETIN.
Many people with thyroid disease, particularly hyperthyroidism, have bleeding gums, a condition which doesn’t respond to the usual vitamin C therapy that most health books recommend. Other nutrients often recommended for bleeding gums include bioflavonoids, rutin, and quercetin. It’s quite possible that these facilitate collagen formation and may be very important for copper utilization. If this is true then they may be very important in correcting thyroid conditions and care should be taken to eat a high percentage of raw foods and to supplement these nutrients.

HYPERS: Take amounts as directed on bottle.

HYPOS: Same.

CHOLINE and INOSITOL
(Plays an important role in glutathione production. Choline deficiency affects males and females differently and this indicates that it may play a vital role in thyroid diseases.)

HYPERS: Take 500 mg each of choline and inositol.

HYPOS: Same as hypers.

BIOTIN

(Essential for metabolism of branched chain amino acids and may be involved in copper metabolism.)

HYPERS: Take 500-1000 mcg per day. Amount in B-complex is inadequate.

HYPOS: Same as Hypers.

CO-Q-10

(Found to be low in hypers but normal in hypos, CoQ10 protects the heart from damage which may occur in hyperthyroidism. It's possible, but unknown whether CoQ10 will help hypers.)

HYPERS: Take up to 90 mg per day.

HYPOS: Probably don't need it unless heart problems exist, then same as hypers

FOLIC ACID


(May have thyroid functions. Hypers have been found to have adequate levels, but I haven't found information about hypos yet.)

HYPERS: 400 mcg per day. Don't take more than this.

HYPOS: 400 mcg per day.

PABA


(PABA appears to have very wide-ranging benefits for thyroid diseases and for many diseases associated with thyroid diseases. Seems to be a key vitamin that enables copper to be utilized properly. Reports state that excessive amounts may cause nausea, diarrhea, or skin rash, but I believe these symptoms won't occur if PABA is taken with an adequate amount of copper.)



HYPERS: Take 200-500 mg per day. Take in proportion to the copper you are using.

HYPOS: Take 200 mg a day.

PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE


(Important source of choline which comes from lecithin and which is recommended as the best supplement to help correct cirrhosis of the liver and to promote liver health. The liver is a key organ for conversion of T4 to T3 and also for the production of bile to eliminate heavy metals like mercury which interrupt enzyme and endocrine function.)

HYPERS: Take (2) 1200 mg capsules a day

HYPOS: Same as hypers.

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M FREAKY

Super Moderator
Vitamin C

(Vitamin C is a very important vitamin but our society may be overly concerned with getting enough of it. Many foods are supplemented with vitamin C and many people take large amounts to ward off colds and other perceived health threats. When I got hyperthyroidism, I was taking 10 GRAMS of vitamin C a day. I now realize that this was excessive and have cut the amount way down. I now believe that excessive amounts of vitamin C may be a real problem for people with thyroid disease, especially hypers. Lately I've been seeing that deficiencies of antioxidants may be a cause of thyroid disease. I recently ran across a study which showed that cu,zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) which is one of the main antioxidants of the body, is decreased by vitamin C. This may occur because vitamin C is also an antioxidant and may be taking up some of the free radical scavenging jobs that SOD normally performs. However, we have seen that hypers experience worse hyper symptoms with larger amounts of vitamin C, and there are studies which indicate that high amounts of vitamin C interfere with copper absorption. These facts lead me to think that high amounts of vitamin C may be a contributory cause of lower levels of SOD and thereby contributing to hyperthyroidism. Also, vitamin C interferes with calcium absorption which is another problem that hypers have. I recommend taking a very low amount of vitamin C, if any, especially for hypers. Whether hypos need more is something I'm going to look into.

HYPERS: Take no more than 500 mg per day. You might want to experiment with taking none or 100-200 mg to see what happens.

HYPOS: Unknown, but limit intake to 1000 mg until more is known.

Vitamin D

(See vitamin A.)

Vitamin E

(Assists estrogen production, works with selenium, and has other thyroid

functions. If you've never taken E before, start with 100 IU and work up

slowly.)

HYPERS: 400 IU per day. Not more.

HYPOS: 400 IU per day.

Vitamin K

(Works with boron to increase estrogen production. Take yogurt occasionally to assist production. Probably unnecessary to take a supplement since intestinal bacteria can make it.)

AMINO ACIDS

CYSTEINE


(Probably the most important amino acid to supplement for hypos. Key precursor to both glutathione and the deiodinase enzymes which convert T4 to T3. Assists zinc utilization, so it may be more important for hypos than hypers. Currently under study.)

HYPERS: Unknown. Currently studying.

HYPOS: Take 500-1000 mg per day.

TYROSINE


(Precursor to the thyroid hormones and the catecholamines.)

HYPERS: Don't supplement.

HYPOS: Take 500 mg per day.

PHENYLALANINE


(Precursor to tyrosine.)

HYPERS: Don't supplement.

HYPOS: Still researching.

TRYPTOPHAN

(Precursor to niacin and serotonin. Serotonin is the inhibitory (calming) hormone which counters the catecholamines (stimulating hormones which produce anxiety and fear.) High intake reduces the uptake of tyrosine. Studies have shown that hyperthyroidism can be induced in animals by a low tryptophan diet. Eating adequate amounts of protein should ensure that you get adequate amounts of tryptophan. If hyperthyroidism is severe or doesn't respond to anything else, you may want to try tryptophan. Pure L-tryptophan is unavailable except through a doctor's prescription, but health food stores are now carrying a metabolite of tryptophan which may work as well.)

HYPERS: May be beneficial.

HYPOS: Probably not necessary.

BRANCHED CHAIN AMINO ACIDS (BCAAs)

(Leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Compete with tyrosine for absorption, so increasing BCAAs may decrease tyrosine absorption and thereby decrease production of the thyroid and catecholamine hormones.)

HYPERS: Beneficial, especially for exercise, sports, and body building. Does not seem to cause hyper symptoms like other protein supplements.

HYPOS: Unknown.


End of list:D
 
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