Safety Profile
Overall safety rating: Generally Safe
Selenium (Thyroid) Side Effects & Safety
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer
Potential Side Effects
- Garlic breath or metallic taste (early sign of excess)
- Nausea and GI discomfort at higher doses
- Hair and nail brittleness at chronic high intake (selenosis)
- Fatigue and irritability with toxicity
Drug & Supplement Interactions
- May interact with cisplatin and other chemotherapy agents (consult oncologist)
- May affect absorption of statins (take 2 hours apart)
- High-dose selenium may affect blood sugar — monitor with diabetes medications
Maximum Dose
Do not exceed: 400mcg daily (Tolerable Upper Intake Level); toxicity risk above this level
References
- Gärtner R, Gasnier BC, Dietrich JW, Krebs B, Angstwurm MW (2002). Selenium supplementation in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis decreases thyroid peroxidase antibodies concentrations. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. DOI PubMed
- Marcocci C, Kahaly GJ, Krassas GE, Bartalena L, Prummel M, Stahl M, Altea MA, Nardi M, Pitz S, Boboridis K, Sivelli P, von Arx G, Mourits MP, Baldeschi L, Bencivelli W, Wiersinga W (2011). Selenium and the course of mild Graves' orbitopathy. New England Journal of Medicine. DOI PubMed
- Negro R, Greco G, Mangieri T, Pezzarossa A, Dazzi D, Hassan H (2007). The influence of selenium supplementation on postpartum thyroid status in pregnant women with thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. DOI PubMed