The thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) are involved in a variety of metabolic processes. A micronutrient deficiency can often be partly responsible for a thyroid disease. In addition to iodine, selenium and vitamin D are particularly important for the health of the small organ. With Senfsaat Selen Hevert 200 µg, Hevert-Arzneimittel offers a vegetable selenium preparation. It is vegan, contains selenium from natural sources and has high bioavailability and bioactivity. Hevert also offers high-quality vitamin D3 preparations: in different dosages and also with vegetarian recipes. Hevert preparations are only available in pharmacies.
The thyroid is involved in a variety of metabolic processes. Simply put, their job is to produce two thyroid hormones, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). These two hormones are bound to certain proteins in the body and thus transported to their site of action. They influence blood pressure, energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, are essential for growth processes and support brain activity, muscle strength and the functions of the intestines and kidneys. A disease of the thyroid gland is therefore not related to its small size, but must be taken seriously.
The release of thyroid hormones is controlled by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. When hormone levels in the blood drop, TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is released, bringing levels back to normal. If the level of the thyroid hormones exceeds this, no more TSH is released.
A disease of the thyroid gland can have far-reaching consequences for the entire organism. The most common diseases are hypofunction or hyperfunction as well as abnormal nodule formation or enlargement of the organ. The good news: only about 1 percent of thyroid nodules are malignant1. Hyperfunction is manifested by restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, hair loss, weight loss, sweating and tachycardia. Goiter (goiter) often develops. The causes can be functional thyroid autonomy or Graves’ disease. In immune hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, antibodies stimulate the TSH receptor on the thyroid cells and trigger the symptoms described.
Hypothyroidism can be caused by birth defects or an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. As a result of the body’s undersupply of thyroid hormones (T3, T4), growth disorders, apathy and severe and irreversible mental retardation are possible. About two percent of adults are affected by Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis, women 10 times more often than men.
Important for the thyroid: micronutrients
One of the most relevant components of T3 and T4 is iodine. In most cases, a permanent undersupply of this trace element leads to an underactive thyroid gland and goiter, often in combination with lumps. In addition to iodine, selenium in particular is important as a cofactor of iodothyronine-5-deiodase for the activation of the thyroid hormones. The active thyroid hormone triiodothyronine T3 is formed by splitting off iodide from the prohormone thyroxine T4. A selenium deficiency can therefore lead to reduced formation of T3 and thus to the development of hypothyroidism. Selenium administration is also therapeutically useful for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Various studies have shown that selenium supplementation leads to a significant reduction in TPO antibodies. The TPO antibody level is a parameter of the degree of inflammation of the thyroid gland and is an antibody characteristic of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It occurs in 90-95 percent of Hashimoto’s patients, but also in up to 70-80 percent of those suffering from Graves’ disease.
The role of vitamin D in autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland has also been discussed for some time. The occurrence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis often correlates with a vitamin D deficiency, even if the cause and effect have not yet been clearly clarified. Experts are not yet sure whether vitamin D deficiency is a cause or just a possible consequence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Senfsaat Selen Hevert 200 µg
Since the seeds of the black mustard (Brassica nigra) contain a particularly large amount of selenium, they are ideal for a selenium supplement from a natural source such as Mustard Seed Selen Hevert 200 µg. The gentle process used in the production of the mustard seed extract ensures excellent quality as well as high bioavailability and bioactivity. In this way, the selenium can be easily absorbed and utilized by the body. The herbal preparation produced in Germany is vegan, well tolerated and free of colorings and preservatives. It contains 200 µg selenium per capsule. In order to supply the body with selenium, 1 capsule daily is sufficient.
Vitamin D3 preparations from Hevert in different dosages
Hevert-Arzneimittel offers the power vitamin D3 as a mono preparation in different dosages and, relatively new, the vitamin D3 Hevert 2000 IU and 4000 IU preparations with a vegetarian recipe. In this way, vegetarians can also get high-quality vitamin D3 from the vitamin specialist Hevert. In addition to its possible importance for autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, it is relevant both for calcium homeostasis and for an intact immune system. Since supplemented vitamin D3 only has a half-life of around 24 hours, daily administration is recommended.
More information about the preparations and the sustainable family business Hevert can be found on the drug manufacturer’s website at www.hevert.de.
1 Grußendorf M, Brabant G: Thyroid diagnostics: only very few nodes harbor a carcinoma. Deutsches Ärzteblatt 119 (47): A-2074