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Are you tired of feeling sluggish, bloated, and all-around blah due to your thyroid condition? Well, it's time to give your thyroid a boost with some top-notch supplements! But not all supplements are created equal, and some can even harm your thyroid. That's why we've put together this article to help you navigate the world of thyroid supplements and find the best options to support your thyroid.
There's no specific dietary supplement that can help treat thyroid disorders. But yes, some supplements can promote thyroid health and boost thyroid hormone production, especially in people with hypothyroidism who find it challenging to follow a balanced diet.
There's a long list of thyroid supplements, but the following are generally best to support your thyroid health.
Iodine is an important mineral required for proper thyroid function. Its role is to support thyroid hormone production. Both main thyroid hormones, T4 (thyroxine - the inactive hormone) and T3 (triiodothyronine - the active hormone), contain iodine. Specifically, T4 contains four iodine molecules, and the removal of one iodine moiety by deiodinase enzymes can activate or inactivate thyroid hormone. These deiodinases help regulate the conversion of T4 to T3 and maintain cellular T3 activation.
So unsurprisingly, your thyroid will have difficulty producing hormones if you have an iodine deficiency. Thus, causing you to have insufficient amounts of thyroid hormone and experience symptoms of hypothyroidism. And since our bodies can't produce iodine naturally, it's essential to consume it every day through food or supplements. Sources of iodine naturally available in food include seaweed, cod, Greek yogurt, and eggs.
However, consuming too much iodine can also increase the risk of hypothyroidism. This is particularly true in those with Hashimoto's disease since the mineral can raise antibodies. Moreover, excessive iodine can slow down thyroid hormone production and damage thyroid cells. Therefore, finding the right balance, especially with other nutrients like selenium, is critical.
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iodine intake is 150 micrograms (mcg) for adults, 220 mcg during pregnancy, and 290 mcg for breastfeeding women. If you don't have iodine deficiency, you may not need to take iodine supplements, but make sure you get enough of it from the food you eat.
Selenium is another essential mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal thyroid health. It's necessary for thyroid hormone metabolism. It also has an antioxidant function. The thyroid gland contains high concentrations of selenium, and a deficiency in this mineral can lead to thyroid dysfunction and even damage to thyroid cells.
Another important function of selenium is its anti-inflammatory effect. It may help reduce inflammation in the body and, as a result, may reduce the risk of developing autoimmune thyroid disorders. That's why it's especially important for people with autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto's thyroiditis, as they tend to have low levels of selenium.
To boost your thyroid function, you can take selenium supplements or increase your intake of foods rich in this mineral. Good dietary sources of selenium include seafood, meat, eggs, dairy products, bread, and cereals.
It's worth noting that excessive selenium intake may cause health problems in people without a deficiency. High levels of selenium can lead to hyperglycemia, atherosclerosis, and cancer. The National Institutes of Health has set the tolerable upper limit for selenium intake at 400 micrograms, taking into account both dietary and supplement sources.
Iron is one of the elements involved in producing thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. It's also a necessary mineral for the T4 to T3 conversion. When iron levels are low, it can negatively affect your thyroid function and exacerbate mild symptoms, making them more severe.
Iron deficiency and thyroid function are interconnected, and a disruption in one can affect the other. If your thyroid hormone level decreases, your body will also have difficulty absorbing iron levels obtained from food. This can cause iron deficiency, which can interfere with thyroid function and worsen symptoms.
Iron deficiency can easily be identified through a blood test and compared with the symptoms you are experiencing. Some symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin, dizziness, intolerance to exercise, cold hands and feet, brittle nails, and hair loss. These symptoms can be similar to hypothyroidism, so it's important to pay attention to both and consult with a doctor to treat iron deficiency if necessary.
If you want to boost your thyroid naturally by increasing your iron intake, the best way to get it is through food. Animal-based sources like red meat and seafood are excellent options. However, if you prefer plant-based sources of iron, it's important to combine them with vitamin C-rich foods to enhance absorption. You can also take an iron supplement if you find it hard to incorporate iron-rich food into your diet.
Whether you get iron from food or take an iron supplement, make sure that your iron intake is at least four hours apart from your thyroid medication to avoid interference.
Zinc is a nutrient that is often overlooked by people with hypothyroidism. But overlooking it isn't good for your thyroid health because zinc plays a vital role in converting T4 to T3 and is important for healthy levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Zinc also helps to enhance immune function, reduce oxidative stress, and act as an anti-inflammatory agent, which is beneficial for people with thyroid disease like Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
That's why a deficiency in zinc is linked to hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's. Zinc deficiency may also be part of why thinning hair is a common symptom of hypothyroidism.
You can find zinc in foods such as seafood, beef, nuts, beans, and dairy. However, if you're a vegan or vegetarian, or if you have gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease, you may be at risk of zinc deficiency. In these cases, it may be necessary to take dietary supplements to get the right amount of zinc.
It's important to note that the recommended dietary allowance for zinc is 8 mg/day for women, but some women may benefit from doses up to 30 mg/day for short periods of time under the guidance of a practitioner. This is because although the 30 mg found in many supplements is nearly three times the recommended dietary allowance for zinc, our bodies only absorb about 50-60% of it.
Did you know that people with Hashimoto's disease might have lower levels of vitamin D compared to others? This could affect their thyroid health negatively, according to some studies. While more research is needed to confirm this link, it's worth considering your vitamin D intake.
Vitamin D helps the body regulate calcium and phosphate. It can also help lower TSH levels and thyroid antibodies in people with autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto's disease. You can get vitamin D from sun exposure or by eating certain foods like fatty fish, fish liver oils, and fortified products such as milk, orange juice, and cereals. If you can't get enough from these sources, supplements are available, but be careful not to take too much, as it can lead to kidney failure.
It's a good idea to have your vitamin D levels checked before taking supplements, as the recommended dosage varies depending on your needs. Most adults need at least 600 IU, but recent research suggests that 2,000 IU might be necessary for optimal health benefits. Remember, a little sunshine and a healthy diet can go a long way in keeping your vitamin D levels in check!
If you have hypothyroidism, it's possible that your body may not be processing magnesium as efficiently as it should, even if your magnesium levels are normal. This can lead to a range of symptoms, from muscle cramps to sleep disorders. In fact, low magnesium levels have been linked to an increased risk of developing Hashimoto's disease and elevated thyroid antibody levels.
Thankfully, boosting your magnesium levels may be the answer to improving these symptoms. Magnesium supplements are widely available, and determining the right dose is usually straightforward. For most people, a daily dose of 100-200mg is sufficient. However, it's important to note that magnesium glycinate is the best formula for those with thyroid disease, as it is easily absorbed by the body.
Magnesium is also supportive of feelings of anxiety or insomnia. Hypothyroidism increases adrenal stress and can cause anxiety, and magnesium has calming effects on the nervous system. By incorporating magnesium supplements into your daily routine, you may be able to reduce symptoms and feel your best.
Maintaining healthy levels of B vitamins, especially vitamin B12, is essential for optimal thyroid health. Shockingly, up to 40% of patients with hypothyroidism may also be deficient in vitamin B12. This deficiency is problematic as the symptoms of B12 deficiency can mimic the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, anemia, and difficulty with concentration can contribute to how you feel. So, even if you're taking the right type and dose of thyroid medication, your symptoms may persist if you don't also replete your Vitamin B12 levels.
Thankfully, taking B12 supplements can help you feel better! It can improve your energy levels, reduce fatigue, increase metabolism, and enhance your mood and concentration. When choosing a B12 supplement, look for a high-quality B complex that contains pre-activated and pre-methylated B12 and other B vitamins. This will ensure that your body can effectively utilize all of your B vitamins. Taking 1-2 capsules daily of a pre-methylated and pre-activated B complex can help support optimal thyroid health.
Vitamin A is commonly known for promoting healthy eyesight, but its benefits go far beyond that. In fact, it plays a vital role in keeping our immune and reproductive systems healthy and is essential for proper thyroid function.
This is because Vitamin A helps regulate thyroid hormone metabolism and can actually inhibit the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
According to a 2017 study, vitamin A is critical to thyroid function and can worsen thyroid disorders caused by a lack of iodine. Retinoids, which are a type of vitamin A, can also negatively affect iodine metabolism.
To increase your intake of vitamin A, look to foods like liver, fish oils, milk, and eggs. You can also take a supplement if you want to. But remember, like iodine, too much vitamin A can suppress thyroid function, so it's important to not overdo it with supplements. Stick to the recommended daily amounts to keep your thyroid and overall health in check.
If you've been taking levothyroxine and haven't seen improvement, it may be time to consider a natural alternative like natural desiccated thyroid (NDT). Brands like Armour Thyroid and WP Thyroid are the most popular options, but unfortunately, they can be hard to find. If that's the case for you, then it might be time you consider VitaliThy, a natural desiccated thyroid you can buy online!
Like Armour Thyroid and WP Thyroid, the NDT supplement VitaliThy is made from porcine thyroid glands, which contain all the natural thyroid hormones, including T4, T3, T2, T1, and Calcitonin. Unlike levothyroxine, which only contains one type of thyroid hormone, NDT provides the complete package. That's why many people find NDT more effective and even associated with weight loss.
Moreover, VitaliThy is free from common allergens like lactose and gluten, as well as shellfish, fish, eggs, artificial coloring, and flavoring.
And the best part? You don't have to leave your home to get it. Simply visit their official website, order VitaliThy online, and it'll be delivered right to your doorstep.
But why is it a supplement and not a medication? It's because VitaliThy is a Vietnamese-based brand, and the laws between medications and supplements are different there compared to the US. Plus, VitaliThy adheres to the strict standards set by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture, so you can trust its safety.
The supplements mentioned above are great for anyone who has an underactive thyroid. But if you want to narrow it down for Hashimoto's thyroiditis, here are some specific supplements that might be helpful:
Selenium: Taking 200 mcg of selenium per day has been shown to decrease thyroid antibodies with minimal side effects.
Iron: Iron deficiency is common in people with Hashimoto's, particularly menstruating females. Supplementing with iron may be beneficial.
Myo-Inositol: This sugar plays a role in thyroid function and may improve it when taken in a daily dose of 600 mg and 83 mcg of selenium.
If you've been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, traditional treatments like surgery, radiation, and medication are important. But did you know that supplements, lifestyle modifications, and diet can also support your treatment and improve your quality of life?
Some supplements that have shown promise in animal and test-tube studies include omega-3 fats, curcumin, L-carnitine, quercetin, melatonin, resveratrol, selenium, inositol, zinc, and vitamins C, E, A, and D. Additionally, iodine deficiency is linked to a higher risk of thyroid cancer, so correcting it may help protect against more aggressive forms.
While more research is needed to fully understand the effects of these supplements on thyroid cancer in humans, it's always best to consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian specializing in oncology nutrition before adding any supplements to your regimen.
Your healthcare provider can help you determine which supplements are best for your individual needs, depending on your diet, overall health, and current treatments for thyroid cancer.
If you're dealing with a thyroid condition, it can be overwhelming to choose the right supplement. With so many options on the market, it's easy to feel lost and need help figuring out where to start. The best way to know what supplements you need is to do a lab test and identify any nutrient deficiencies in your body. From there, you can target your specific nutrient deficiencies. For example, if your body lacks zinc and selenium, it can disrupt the conversion of T4 to T3. By restoring optimal levels of these nutrients, you can improve your thyroid health and feel your best.
Keep in mind that supplements work by providing your body with the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to function at its best, which is especially important for those with hypothyroidism which may struggle to maintain a balanced diet.
But it's not just about the obvious connections, like iodine for thyroid hormone production. Other factors, like leaky gut and inflammation, can also contribute to thyroid conditions, so supporting your gut with nutrients and probiotics can help promote overall thyroid health.
If you have a thyroid condition, taking supplements can be a great way to support thyroid health. However, it's important to be aware of potential interactions with thyroid hormone replacement medication.
To avoid any negative effects, it's best to take your thyroid replacement medication at least four hours before or after taking any supplements. This is because certain supplements, like iron and calcium, can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication.
It's also a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplements. They can help you determine which supplements are safe and appropriate for your condition and which ones may promote healthy thyroid function. So, don't be afraid to ask for guidance to ensure that your supplements are working for you, not against you!
When it comes to thyroid health, supplements, and nutrition play an important role in supporting optimal function. Keep in mind, however, that most supplements are not meant to cure hypothyroidism.
Remember to also ensure that you are receiving adequate thyroid hormone replacement therapy. If you prefer a natural solution, VitaliThy, a natural desiccated thyroid you can buy online, is a great option. Unlike levothyroxine, which only contains T4, this natural supplement contains the complete thyroid hormone, making it more effective for some people with hypothyroidism who struggle to convert T4 to T3.
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