Thyroid antibodies, selenium and pregnancy

[sussubia]

I have Hypothyroidism with Thyroid antibodies. I got pregnant through IVF only to miscarry at week 8. I´m afraid that the antibodies caused it although my doctor doesn´t agree with me.
I wanted to ask if anyone has taken 200 mcg of selenium throughout their pregnancy, also in the first trimester. I have read that 200 mcg of selenium can lower the antibodies, I had been taking selenium for months before I got pregnant but then I got afraid it might hurt the baby and and started taking lower amounts in my 6th week of pregnancy. I want to try again in august and I really, really want to know if there is anyone out there that has had a healthy baby and taken 200 mcg of selenium.

Best regards, sussubia

[gimel]

I agree with your doctor that antibodies would not be a direct cause of your miscarriage; however, the effect of the antibodies on your thyroid glands can certainly be a factor, if your active thyroid hormone levels are insufficient.  Understand that FT3 and FT4 are not the same as total T3 and total T4.  Most T3 and T4 in the blood is bound up with protein and thus, inactive.  Only the "free" portions of these hormones are active to regulate metabolism and many other body functions.  It is very important in evaluating thyroid status, to know the levels of FT3 and FT4.  If those tests have been done in the past, you need to somehow get that info from the doctor, along with the lab's reference ranges for the tests, and post here for members to help interpret.  If these tests have not been done previously, I think you need to push the doctor to run those tests and if necessary adjust both to adequate and fairly stable levels before proceeding with IVF.

[sussubia]

Thank you for responding. My TSH was 2.78 last time it was checked, I have discussed with my doctor to lower it below 2 before I go for IVF nex time. I don´t know my FT3 and FT4, it is difficult to get this information from my doctors, I don´t even think it´s checked every time.

[goolarra]

Selenium has never been proven or disproven to reduce antibodies in any lagre-scale study of a heterogeneous population.

I agree with gimel that the most important thing you can do is make sure your hypothyroidism is under control by evaluating FT3 and FT4 levels before pregnancy.  Pregnancy and childbirth can stress even the healthiest of thyroids, so it is very important to take care of any known problems beforehand.  Improper levels can also impact fetal development.

[gimel]

Though you only asked about selenium, it is even more important for someone in your situation to get your active thyroid hormones (free T3 and free T4) tested and adjusted properly.  If you haven't been tested for FT3 and FT4, along with TSH, then it would be a good idea to do so and then get a copy of the lab report and post it here for members to help interpret.

[Barb135]

I can't say that selenium "lowers the antibody count", but I take it daily to help calm the effects of the antibodies.  Sally is right that selenium can be toxic, make sure you take only what your doctor recommends.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

selenium is an essential element.  But it is also toxic at high levels.  Make sure you don't take more than the recommended daily dose.

Best wishes.