Re: Copper

[Guest guest]

Hi Joe -

10 mg might be a bit much. Especially just starting out. I took copper

myself and it helped me. I started out slowly, though. I took 2mg a day for

a week or so, then added another 2. I think the max dose I took was 6 mg.

You have to remember to take into account whatever copper you may be getting

from your diet and that you don't really want to exceed the RDA. Be sure to

take it with food, it can upset your stomach.

Copper, iron, and zinc all work together and there's theory that hyperT's

have copper deficiency. Copper will deplete zinc, so after taking copper for

a while, you'll want to either add some zinc, or decrease the copper

depending on your diet. The ideal ratio of zinc to copper is 8:1, but hypers

usually do better with a lower ratio, like 5:1. I currently take about a 7:1

ratio. I have a vitamin that has 7.5 mg of zinc and if I take much more than

that, I get jittery.

Another mineral which helped for me is selenium. I think the RDA is 400 mcg

and you definitely don't want to exceed that. It can be toxic at higher

levels. At most I took 200 mcg. Selenium is shown to reduce the TPO

antibodies. No data on whether it works on TSH receptor antibodies, but I

figure if it works for one, maybe it'll do something for the others.

Selenium also helps with the conversion of T4 to T3.

Since you're a guy, you probably don't hear this as much because it's more a

" woman issue " , but it's also a good idea to take calcium. Lots of it. This

is one supplement you almost can't get enough of. Graves' and

hyperthyroidism cause bone loss, even if you have mild symptoms. I'm 33

myself and after convincing my doctor to send me for a baseline bone density

scan, I discovered I already have ostopenia (hah - was he ever surprised!)

Those Viactiv soft chews are really good (I know, they are so marketed to

women, though) because they also have Vit. D and K, which help clacium in

bone formation. Only take 500 mg. at a time because that's all the body can

absorb in one dose.

I had mild Graves' when I was diagnosed in 7/01. I never have been on

medication and have had " normal " thyroid levels for over a year now. I still

haven't found the " normal for me " level yet. Are you having routine labwork

done to make sure you aren't getting worse? I used to have mine done every 3

months, and I'd recommend shorter than that, escpecially in the beginning.

Don't know about the hot forehead. Can't say I remember that happening, but

I have had more acne problems since Graves'. (Ugh!)

Good luck!

Copper

> Hi everyone,

>

> Just picked up some copper and have been taking 10mg a day .Can just

> taking copper by itself hurt me ??

>

> All input is welcome

>

> Thanks,

> Joe

>

>

>

>

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