Herceptin and Selenium deficiency?

['lizbeth]

Well I've noticed an interesting trend. I discontinued my regular multi vitamin for 4 weeks because of my recent surgery.

Last week I was whining to my new PCM about how absolutely exhausted I was, the tingling and aching in my legs, sore muscles, etc.

She decided to test my B12 levels and thyroid. I don't have the results yet.

In desperation I took a Selenium tablet and within the hour the fog was lifting from my brain, my energy levels climbed and the tingling in my legs lessened. That was 3 days ago, and if I don't supplement with at least 300 mcg of Selenium every day I feel like crap.

I notice others have similar symptoms that are being associated with side effects of Herceptin.

Comments, Opinions?

[Terri B]

Well, color me ignorant 'lizabeth, but what the heck is selenium? I would love to try some!

I feel like poop. Just blah. My period keeps "trying" to start up again, and I'm bloated up like a bullfrog most of the time. Now that has moved to my eyes being all puffy in the morning. I can't see clearly till about noon. Sinuses are OUT OF CONTROL!! I had herceptin a week ago.

>:-(

[hutchibk]

Brazil nuts contain about 544 micrograms of selenium per oz. I try and eat about 2-3 brazil nuts a day for that exact reason...

Have been lazy lately, though. Thanks for the reminder.

['lizbeth]

Well I got the results of my tests. My thyroid is normal, but my B12 levels are high. I was taking the B12 for peripheral neurapathy, but maybe took too much and perhaps that is the cause of my tingly legs.

[Yorkiegirl]

Brenda can you just buy Brazil Nut's that aren't mixed with other nut's? I love Brazil Nut's, but I waste my money when they are mixed with others.

[Lani]

hypomagnesemia (too little magnesium in the blood)

I think they may not have looked very hard for other deficiencies as there doesn't seem to be most "postmarketing" surveillance ie, after the drug is approved the drug companies aren't perhaps as diligent as they should be looking for associated troubles once it is used in a larger population.

Perhaps the low selenium (IF AND I MEAN IF) you really had it was a chronic
result from some change in metabolism after chemotherapy. That is not to say it might not be from the herceptin. Anyone else with these symptoms might try to talk their oncologist into getting a selenium level. ???good luck???

I think that might be the only way we see if there is a trend. Until then, glad you are feeling better...

['lizbeth]

I see selenium toxicity has some of the same symptoms as I have. Too much, too little - it is so hard to figure out what the true problem is.

I hope the selenium tablet isn't making it worse.

[hutchibk]

a nutritionist told me to eat 2-4 brazil nuts a day, and that that should be the healthiest way to get selenium without worrying about getting too much.

I get them in the bulk section of the grocery store (usually whole foods). I keep them in the freezer.

['lizbeth]

I love brazil nuts, perhaps they will have them at our local Henry's

[R.B.]

Selenium is needed to make the internal antioxidant glutathione, and is very important to good health.

The antioxidant glutathione is made in the body and protects the mitochondria from oxidative damage.

Herceptin causes mitochondrial damage. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15582322
Inhibition of ErbB2 causes mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes: implications for herceptin-induced cardiomyopathy.
Grazette LP, Boecker W, Matsui T, Semigran M, Force TL, Hajjar RJ, Rosenzweig A.

I have been unable to find any indication if selenium is a positive or negative addition with herceptin as far as BC goes but may help reduce the risk of cardiac damage by helping reduce oxidative stress.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19017630?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez. Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.P ubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=3&log$=relatedarticles& logdbfrom=pubmed

ON a wider basis there are quite a number of suggestions that selenium reduces the risk of BC

Program in Cardiovascular Gene Therapy, Cardiovascular Research Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Shellfish, kidney, herring and lentils are reported as good sources in S Cunnane's book "Survival of the Fattest" which is about brains and evolution.

Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium but are high in Omega 6.

['lizbeth]

Thank you for that information R.B. I have lentils in the pantry and I've been meaning to learn how to cook them.

I think my terrible fatigue could have resulted from the anesthesia. I always come out of surgery really wound up and it takes days to settle down. I was reading that one causes a deficiency in Vitamin B12 and selenium. That could explain why a B12 shot 2 days after surgery made such a big difference in my energy levels. And the improvement by supplementing with selenium. It certainly didn't help that I discontinued my multi vitamins for 4 weeks.

I feel like Herceptin also gets me out of balance too.

I wish we had a scanner like Star Trek that could instantly check out vitamin and mineral levels!

[R.B.]

I wish we had a scanner like Star Trek that could instantly check out vitamin and mineral levels!

Now thats a great idea.