Inositol, Selenium in Hypothyroidism

When the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone, metabolism slows down. Women, especially those between age 30 and 50, are more likely to develop hypothyroidism. The most common form is an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. In this study, 148 women and 19 men with an early, mild form of the disorder took 83 mcg of selenium, with or without 600 mg of inositol, per day.

After six months, those taking selenium with inositol showed improvements in measures of the condition-including more normal levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Those taking selenium alone also saw improvement, but not as great as those in the selenium/inositol group. Doctors said selenium with inositol restored normal thyroid function in those with subclinical-early, mild-Hashimoto's hypothyroidism.