Manganese and how affects the thyroid

So is manganese a double edged sword?

What we fail to realise and nor are we told by the medical profession, is that there are many medical conditions where nutrients are part of the treatment protocol. So much so, that many who are failing to thrive simply because they are deficient in these minerals. Some conditions are actually caused because we are so depleted in these very nutrients.

For example, selenium is a mineral that is needed by the thyroid in order to facilitate the production of thyroid hormone. There are other minerals that are needed. Put simply, we need certain minerals and vitamins in order to we well. Without them, we will not thrive.

So how can manganese help? (taken from excerpts ithyroid.com)

It is a key anti-oxidant and required for normal adrenal and thyroid activity. Manganese is needed for cholesterol synthesis as the enzymes involed in this process depend on it. Essential for normal thyroxine production and also vitamin K.

It works with iron and is therefore needed for the correct metabolism of iron. As you know, if ferritin levels are low, the thyroid hormone mechanism fails to complete correctly.

A bit of a vicious circle as too much manganese depletes copper and iron and likewise too much iron and/or copper depletes manganese.

If supplementing with iron or copper, it is therefore necessary to supplement with manganese and also its dancing partner, chromium.

Manganese is used in the treatment of multiple scerosis, diabetes and myasthenia gravis for its benefits in treating muscle weakness.

A deficiency causes many problems including hypothyroidism, dizziness, deafness and ringing in the ears, ataxia, convulsions, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint problems, TMJ, skeletal defects, infertility, miscarriage, loss of libido in both sexes, disruption of fat and carbohydrate metabolism, osteoporosis, fatigue, myasthenia gravis, allergies, asthma and retarded growth, hypoglycaemia and diabetes to name but a few.

An excess of manganese also causes problems: Anorexia, ataxia, copper deficiency and neurological problems including criminal tendencies and schizophrenia. Tranquillisers are an antagonist to manganese. (as they are indeed to many nutrients and medications)

Where is it found? It is plentiful in ginger, rice, blueberries, bananas, nuts, olives, avocados, tea, kelp, egg yolks and green vegatbles. However, with modern farming methods processing and GM foods, it is hard to say to what extent it is available in our foods in this day and age.

Interestingly enough, when manganese is low, the T4 to T3 conversion is accelerated by increased 5'diodinase enzyme activity which causes excessive T3 levels in the blood.

Excessive amounts of manganese can also cause goitre and reduce serum T4 and T3 levels. Significant levels of manganese can be found in diets where tea and coffee, chocolate etc are consumed in higher than average levels.

This proves that thyroid function is affected by both high and low levels of manganese.

Of particular interest regarding thyroid function in Graves disease is that excessive manganese in the diet triggers the autoimmune response causing Graves. Bearing in mind that excessive manganese reduces copper levels, this could be an explanation and that supplementing with copper would therefore reduce manganese levels in the diet where manganese consumption is high. e.g. where high levels of tea and coffee are consumed. This would then suppress the autoimmune reaction.

See study below:

Immunodetection of manganese superoxide dismutase in cultured human retroocular fibroblasts using sera directed against the thyrotropin receptor. Burch HB, Barnes S, Nagy EV, Sellitti D, Burman KD, Bahn RS, Lahiri S Endocrine-Metabolic Service, Kyle Metabolic Unit, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307-5001, USA.

The identification of antigenic targets in the retroocular autoimmune response of Graves' ophthalmopathy is likely to increase our understanding of mechanisms underlying this disorder. While a number of putative autoantigens have been identified on the basis of molecular weight or cell of origin, a determination of the significance of these antigens is contingent upon an identification of the amino acid sequence. Our group has previously identified immunoreactive retroocular fibroblast (ROF) proteins recognized by thyrotropin receptor (hTSH-R) antisera (anti-p1), at molecular weights of 95, 71, 41, and 14-25 kDa. In the present study, proteins detected by anti-p1 and visualized by Ponceau staining were isolated and processed for microsequencing. Ponceau staining revealed dense bands at molecular weights of 14 and 23 kDa, and a weak band at 41 kDa. N-terminal sequencing was performed on the prominent band at approximately 23 kDa, showing it to be manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), a mitochondrial enzyme responsible for protection against oxygen free radical-associated cellular damage. Sequence comparison of MnSOD to the hTSH-R peptide, p1, revealed a linear segment of amino acid homology. Preincubation of anti-p1 with p1 blocked immunodetection of the 23 kDa band corresponding to MnSOD, and immunoprecipitation of ROF protein using anti-pi yielded protein recognized by anti-MnSOD. Autoimmunity against human recombinant MnSOD was further assessed by ELISA. Patients with Graves' disease (n = 53) had significantly higher ELISA indices than normal control subjects (n = 29), while patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis had intermediate values. These results document MnSOD autoantibodies in patients with Graves' disease and suggest that this may result from an immune cross-reactivity between MnSOD and the TSH-receptor.

PMID: 9633023, UI: 98296679

J Am Coll Nutr 1993 Aug;12(4):384-9

The point of the exercise?

Do not supplement with manganese unless you are sure that you are deficient. Tea and coffee in high amounts can cause toxicity resulting in many adverse conditions.

If you think you may be deficient, please speak to your doctor about getting tested prior to supplementation

Whilst deficiency causes problems, likewise so does an excess. Manganese is a hard metal used to strengthen steel alloys and excess causes neurological problems and kidney damage.

With minerals and nutrients, we must ensure we are deficient before supplementing as an excess is dangerous.