M FREAKY
Super Moderator
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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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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