Hormone Synthesis: The thyroid must produce thyroid hormones correctly.
Hormone Transport: Once made, these hormones need to be released into the bloodstream and travel to where they’re needed.
Hormone Metabolism: The body must be able to use these hormones effectively.
Regulation: There needs to be a system to ensure the thyroid doesn’t produce too much or too little hormone.
Target Organ Health: The parts of the body that receive the thyroid hormones must be healthy enough to respond.
The Role of Selenium and Iodine
Thyroid hormones are made using building blocks like proteins and amino acids, but two minerals are particularly important: iodine and selenium.
Iodine: This mineral is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Without enough iodine, the thyroid gland can’t produce these hormones properly, often leading to an enlarged thyroid, a condition known as goiter. While iodine deficiency is less common today due to iodized salt and fortified foods, it’s still a possibility.
Selenium: This mineral plays a critical role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones, meaning it helps your body actually use the hormones it produces. Even if your thyroid hormone levels look normal on a blood test, your body might not be using them effectively if selenium levels are low. Selenium also has anti-inflammatory properties, which is significant because inflammation is often at the root of thyroid problems, including autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease. In some cases, selenium supplementation has been shown to reduce the antibodies that attack the thyroid in these conditions.
