Symptoms Of A Selenium Deficiency

Unexplained Weight Gain

Unexplained weight gain can be indicative of an individual affected by selenium deficiency. This symptom stems directly from the effect an inadequate supply of selenium has on the function of the thyroid gland. Without enough selenium, the thyroid gland cannot synthesize iodothyronine deiodinase. Iodothyronine deiodinase is the component that converts T4 into T3, which are both hormones required for the proper regulation of an individual's metabolism, heart rate, and temperature.

When there is not an adequate supply of selenium in order to yield T3 and T4, the individual experiences symptoms associated with a slowed metabolism of energy producing factors. Without enough of the thyroid hormones, the body's metabolism slows and causes a disruption in the individual's energy balance. Energy balance is the ratio of the number of calories an individual consumes to the number of calories they are burning. When an individual consumes a higher number of calories than the number they are burning, they have a positive energy balance. A positive energy balance causes the body to store excess calories and experience weight gain.

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