Hashimoto’s 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 restores normal thyroid function in Hashimoto’s patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Environmental triggers are what integrative doctors mainly work with in functional medicine to healthy address the dysfunction in autoimmune disease. These can be food triggers such as gluten or food sensitivities that can trigger inflammation as well as anything coming in with the food such as toxins or molds. In addition, the nutrient status of the person. This can be antioxidant status, vitamins, essential fatty acids, vitamin D, etc. Also, gut health. This includes “leaky gut” and dysbiosis. There are also toxins that can be affect the status of the immune system. These are heavy metals, xenobiotics, as well as the total toxic burden in the body.

Inositol is commonly used to support sleep, female hormone health as well alleviate depression and anxiety. Inositol is also a second messenger regulating several hormones such as insulin and TSH.

In this study 168 patients ages 22 to 62 years were enrolled in a random controlled trial (RCT). 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 and for six months.

As a result, there was a significant reduction in TSH levels in Hashimoto’s 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, 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.

By Michael Jurgelewicz, DC, DACBN, DCBCN, CNS

Source: Nordio M, Basciani S. Myo-inositol plus selenium supplementation restores euthyroid state in Hashimoto’s patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 2017; 21 (2 Suppl): 51-59.

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