Can Selenium Help with Thyroid Inflammation?

Brazil nuts is a good natural source of selenium and iodine for people with hypothyroidism. However it is not recommended for people with Hashimoto’s which is the autoimmune version of low thyroid function. Iodine will make it worst by causing further inflammation

My endocrinologist recommended it, but she recommended it in its natural state, as in Brazil nuts. Like 2 a day!

I haven't heard of that being recommended before... I know there's not much that you can do with the physical pressure symptoms of Thyroid nodules, and it's part of the consideration that goes into recommending surgery, but for overall swelling, it's just trying to keep the inflammation triggers down. You'll be there first person to know if your pressure symptoms are too much. There are so many nerves, blood supply, vocal cords and trachea competing for small space in your throat that when you have swelling or thyroid pressure, it can be very sensitive. During a flare up, I do find some relief with a cool compress/ gel ice pack on my neck when I can stand the added pressure. I also like to sleep a bit upright, propped up on a pillow or two... Letting my head and neck drop down below the rest of my body makes the swelling feel worse. I'm not sure if that helps, but remember that no Dr should be telling you that you're not experiencing the pain or symptoms that you're self reporting. I have found it helpful to pair the description of the pain with it's impact; "my thyroid swelling hurts like XYZ and I'm losing sleep, my voice is cracking, it guests to swallow so I can't eat normally, etc..." Your Dr should be hearing that you are struggling with any daily activities and it might take those buzzwords for them to act accordingly.

I'm not sure about selenium... I've taken it before, along with many other supplements that a past endocrinologist recommended. I found that the handful of horse pills caused my stomach more distress than good. Did your Dr. do a CBC that showed a vitamin deficiency in Selenium? Or are they just throwing it out there? I'm also interested to hear more about the neck exercises?