Hashimotos thyroiditis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. Autoimmunity can occur a few different ways but eventually the thyroid gland progressively becomes underactive due to antibody and cell-mediated autoimmune processes.
According to a recent study published in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences researchers demonstrated that myo-inositol and selenium help restore normal thyroid function in Hashimotos patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.
Inositol is commonly used to support sleep female hormone health and help with depression and anxiety. It is also a second messenger regulating several hormones such as insulin and TSH.
In this new study 168 patients ages 22 to 62 years were enrolled in a random controlled trial. These patients had a TSH level between 3-6 mIU/L elevated TPO and/or thyroglobulin antibodies and normal free T4 and T3 levels. They were randomized into two groups and were given either 83 mcg of selenium or a combination of 600 mg of myo-inositol and 83 mcg of selenium for six months.
As a result there was a significant reduction in TSH levels in Hashimotos patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and increases in thyroid hormone concentrations with myo-inositol combined with selenium. In addition there was a lower TPO antibody concentration in both groups but only a reduction in thyroglobulin antibodies in the myo-inositol with selenium group.
Since myo-inositol combined with selenium decreases TSH levels and raises T3 and T4 together they may also provide indirect protection to cardiovascular complications as thyroid hormones regulate heart rate and metabolism. Decreased levels of free T3 and T4 can lead to higher blood pressure low heart rate and increased stiffness of the blood vessel walls.
In addition to assessing the nutrient status of the patient (e.g. antioxidant status vitamins essential fatty acids vitamin D) a multitude of other factors should be looked at in regards to autoimmune disease. In functional medicine integrative doctors work with environmental triggers in order to address the dysfunction. These can be food triggers such as gluten food sensitivities that can trigger inflammation or anything coming in with the food such as toxins or molds. Gut health is another important facet. This includes leaky gut and dysbiosis. There are also toxins that can affect the status of the immune system such as heavy metals and xenobiotics as well as the total toxic burden in the body.
By Michael Jurgelewicz DC DACBN DCBCN CNS
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