Symptoms Of A Selenium Deficiency

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism, which can be indicative of a selenium deficiency in an affected individual, is a condition characterized by an inability of the thyroid gland to produce an adequate amount of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is responsible for the regulation of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. It also manages the rate at which an individual's body burns calories. Thyroid hormone is also a critical factor in the process of cell differentiation and cell development in the body. Thyroid hormone also has the ability to lower or raise body temperature, and it can slow down or speed up the heartbeat. The thyroid gland in the endocrine system is the organ that contains the most abundant selenium content out of all other organs in the body. Selenium is a critical component required for the production of thyroid hormones. Even though the primary ingredient in thyroid hormone is a compound called iodine, selenium is required for the body to synthesize iodine into thyroid hormone.

Learn more about the major symptoms of a selenium deficiency now.