Top Vitamins For Thyroid Health
This article was written by a Medical Doctor and reviewed by the thyroid health experts at ThyroMate.
ThyroMate articles uses only proven, accurate, credible sources in order to provide accurate, fact-checked information about thyroid health that is helpful and objective. All references are linked throughout the article and sources for each are cited at the end. Visit these links to learn more about the research studies and conclusions drawn from the research methods.
Information contained on this website is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always consult your physician for questions related to your health.
The thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped organ set at the base of the neck, plays a big role in metabolism. It produces two vital hormones: triiodothyronine and thyroxine . These hormones ensure all the cells in the body function normally. They control metabolism and regulate important bodily functions like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, body weight, and menstrual cycle. When your thyroid levels are unbalanced, your overall health is affected. Poor thyroid function is linked to several health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, infertility, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune diseases. Many of these diseases can be prevented or eliminated by vitamins for thyroid health.
This Is Why You Should Take Vitamin E Supplements To Support Your Thyroid
The Thyroid, a gland that has a shape often said to represent a butterfly, sits in front of the windpipe in the throat. This gland is an essential part of the endocrine system and releases two particular hormones that have a function to serve in various parts of the human body.
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are two common conditions that affect the Thyroid gland and causes a deficiency or excess of Thyroid hormones in the body.
Understanding the functioning of the Thyroid gland and the importance of the hormones secreted by the gland is essential in better addressing particular diseases, disorders, and deficiencies that may affect the Thyroid glands ability to produce an adequate amount of hormones.
Synthetic Thyroid hormones are among the most common treatments provided when the Thyroid produces too little hormones, while the antithyroid medication is often provided when the Thyroid gland is overactive.
In addition to these treatment options, obtaining the right vitamins and minerals are also considered necessary. In this guide, well take a look at vitamin E specifically, and discuss whether increasing your intake of this vitamin can help to promote a healthier Thyroid.
What Vitamin Supplements Are Good For Thyroid
What vitamin supplements are good for thyroid? A number of vitamins and supplements including iodine, vitamin D, selenium, probiotics, tyrosine, zinc, iron, and thiamine can be helpful to your thyroid health.
What is the best thyroid booster? Minerals and vitamins also work as natural thyroid boosters. Manganese, zinc, selenium and chromium are minerals that support thyroid function. Patients can absorb these minerals in pill or liquid form. Vitamin A is one of the most beneficial vitamins for boosting thyroid gland function.
What is a natural thyroid booster? Natural thyroid boosters may be rich in iodine. An underactive thyroid may cause weight gain, decreased energy, and low metabolism. Patients should consult a doctor before taking a thyroid booster. Cauliflower is considered a natural thyroid booster. Iodine-rich herbs are available in pill or liquid form at most health food and supplement stores.
Is hypothyroidism a hormone imbalance? Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormones. The thyroid has a crucial function in the body. One of the major functions of the thyroid is to regulate metabolism and metabolic functions of the body, which is one reason why it contributes
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Supplements And Thyroid Health: What To Know
1 ).
Depending on the type of disease, thyroid conditions are typically treated with medications like thyroid hormone replacement, surgery, and other procedures, such as radiation therapy for thyroid cancer.
In addition to conventional treatments for thyroid conditions, research shows that dietary interventions, including supplements, may help treat certain thyroid diseases.
However, certain supplements may do more harm than good when it comes to thyroid health.
This article explains how supplements may help certain people with thyroid-related health conditions.
Should People With Thyroid Problems Avoid These Supplements
Iodine: Yes. Avoid it as a supplement whether you havehyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The effect of iodine supplements can vary byperson, causing the thyroid to produce either too much or too little hormone.
Certain alternativemedicine websites or doctors tell patients that iodine is good for yourthyroid, Dr. Nasr says, but if there is anybody who shouldnt take iodine, itis thyroid patients. Such claims aremade because iodine deficiency is the No. 1 cause of thyroid conditionsin the world, he says. But thats not true in the U.S., where we have iodine inour diets. Iodine is added to many foods, and not just salt, he says.
However, Dr. Nasr says that people on restrictive diets may consider adding a daily multivitamin that contains the recommended daily allowance of iodine.
He also assures patientsnot to worry that you are getting too much iodine from everyday foods. You wouldhave to eat a ton of it to cause problems, he says. Its not, dont eatanything with iodine. Its, dont eat a bunch of iodine. And patients shouldbe careful with iodine-concentrated supplements.
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Top 6 Vitamins For Hypothyroidism
The thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck. It produces hormones that regulate your bodys energy use, along with many other important functions.
As part of the endocrine system, the thyroid gland helps to regulate the bodyâs metabolism in the form of blood pressure, blood temperature, and heart rate.
When your thyroid hormone production drops, your body processes slow down and change. Hypothyroidism can affect many different systems in your body.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness
- Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
- Impaired memory or brain fog
- Enlarged thyroid gland
Undiagnosed thyroid disease puts patients at risk for other ailments, such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and infertility.
Hypothyroidism is typically treated with thyroid hormone replacement medication. In addition to thyroid medication, research shows that dietary interventions including supplements may also be supportive to hypothyroid patients.
Ahead are the top six vitamins for hypothyroidism to help protect thyroid tissue and encourage thyroid hormone production.
What Time Of Day Should I Take Thyrogard
For best results, we recommend taking Thyrogard when you wake up in the morning so that the natural ingredients can boost metabolism and improve mood throughout the day.
Thyrogard can be taken with or without food. However, please keep in mind that if you take Thyrogard soon before or after a meal, your body may take a little bit longer to absorb the natural ingredients.
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Supplements For Graves Disease
Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States. Like Hashimotos disease, its considered an autoimmune condition.
In Graves disease, the immune system attacks your thyroid, causing it to overproduce thyroid hormones. Graves disease can also lead to thyromegaly or an enlarged thyroid .
Symptoms associated with Graves disease include weight loss, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, diarrhea, eye pain and irritation, fatigue, weakness, menstrual irregularities, insomnia, nervousness, and more (
32 ).
Like Hashimotos disease, some research shows that dietary modifications may help improve symptoms and quality of life in people with Graves disease .
The following supplements may help people with Graves disease:
- Selenium. Selenium deficiency can raise your risk of Graves disease. A review found selenium supplements in daily dosages of 100300 mcg led to improved thyroid function at 6 months in people with Graves disease, but this effect was lost at 9 months .
- Vitamin D. Research shows that people with Graves disease are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D than the general population. Correcting deficiency by taking a supplement may improve thyroid function (
49 ).
The best way to determine the best supplement regimen for your specific needs is to consult your healthcare provider.
As mentioned above, its best to avoid thyroid-specific supplement blends unless theyre specifically recommended by your healthcare provider.
What Is The Return Policy For Thyrogard
We are so confident that Thyrogard will work for you that every bottle comes with our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, we dont want you paying for it even if you have taken the entire bottle! Simply contact us within 30 days of your original purchase, and we will immediately arrange for a refund.
Check out ourReturn Policy page for more details.
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Nutrition For Thyroid Health
Of course, eating healthier can improve your overall wellness, possibly even your thyroid conditions. Food allergens and toxins can trigger Hashimotos hypothyroidism.
If you can fix your condition with dietary changes, you dont really need dietary supplements.
A healthy diet can eliminate toxins, lessen inflammation, and regulate hormones to help with thyroid issues. Our guide to a hypothyroidism diet can help you get started!
Some experts suggest the Autoimmune Paleo diet for 3-6 months to eliminate and identify potential inflammatory triggers from your diet. If your thyroid disorder improves, we know it was due to food triggers.
Once your condition improves, we will slowly reintroduce foods into your diet. If your condition worsens after adding a certain food, we will re-eliminate the food from your diet.
Pregnant womenshould not adhere to the Autoimmune Paleo diet.
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What To Expect At Your Doctor’s Office
Your doctor will ask you to extend your fingers to see if you have an obvious tremor. Your doctor will also examine your thyroid gland while you swallow. A blood test can confirm that you have elevated levels of thyroid hormone. Your doctor may also order a radioactive iodine uptake test to determine why your thyroid is producing too much hormone.
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Measuring Thyroid Hormone And Nutrient Levels
At Parsley Health, doctors are trained in holistic medicine and conventional medicine to give you a wider scope of the problems youre dealing withand it starts with a thyroid test.
In conventional medicine, when your primary care doctor screens for thyroid function, they often just look at one main lab value called your thyroid-stimulating hormone, otherwise known as your TSH, explains Jamie Kyei-Frimpong, DNP, FNP-BC, a nurse practitioner at Parsley Health New York. But that doesnt give the overall picture of your thyroid health, says Dr. Jamie. Your doctor should also be assessing the conversion of other thyroid hormones and your nutrient levels of certain vitamins and minerals that impact that thyroid hormones and conversion.
Without looking at these key measures, its common to hear from your doctor that your thyroid is fine, even if you still feel kind of wonky, Dr. Jamie explains.
Dr. Jamie explains that you can have normal TSH levels but have poor conversion, which could lead to symptoms of hypothyroidism, aka an underactive thyroid. When you have hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland doesnt make enough thyroid hormone to keep the body running normally, according to the American Thyroid Association. Understanding your own thyroid hormone conversion can help you determine the right thyroid vitamins and supplements for better thyroid health.
Supplements For General Thyroid Health
If you walk down the supplement aisle of your favorite health food store, youll likely see a section dedicated to thyroid health.
Due to the prevalence of thyroid conditions, many supplement companies have started making supplements that are designed to support thyroid health.
Although some of these products are harmless, certain thyroid supplements may lead to negative side effects and can even harm your thyroid.
Before addressing why thyroid-specific supplements may not be the best choice for everyone, its important to explain what nutrients the thyroid needs for optimal functioning. Here are some of the most important nutrients for thyroid health:
- Selenium. Selenium, a mineral needed for thyroid hormone production, helps protect the thyroid from damage caused by oxidative stress. The thyroid contains high amounts of selenium, and a deficiency can lead to thyroid dysfunction .
- Iodine. Iodine is critical for thyroid function. In fact, currently, the only known role of iodine is to support thyroid hormone production. Triiodothyronine and thyroxine are thyroid hormones that contain iodine. Iodine deficiency causes thyroid disease .
- Zinc. The mineral zinc is required for thyroid hormone production. An optimal concentration of zinc is needed for healthy levels of T3, T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone .
- Iron. The thyroid needs iron to convert T4 into T3, the active form of thyroid hormone. Iron deficiency is associated with thyroid dysfunction .
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How Thyroid Hormone Conversion Works
The pituitary gland, found in your brain, signals to the thyroid how much hormone to produce. This thyroid hormone is what is known as T4, but your body needs to convert T4 into T3, which is the active form of the hormone, Dr. Jamie says. This active version of the hormone is needed in order for your body to be able to use it.
When the conversion from T4 to T3 is poor, or if you dont have proper levels of vitamins and minerals that enhance or help that conversion process, your body can make enough T3. Thats where pesky symptoms come in.
Hypothyroidism: 7 Essential Supplements Vitamins And Minerals For Your Underactive Thyroid
Besides taking medications, a lot of patients who suffer from hypothyroidism decide to experiment with dietary supplements to ease their symptoms. For many patients, the treatment isn’t just about regulating their thyroid hormone levels, but also about influencing the factors that contributed to the development of their disease and thereby improving their overall health and wellbeing.
Regular vitamin and mineral intake can help regulate a dysfunctional thyroid, but it definitely cannot replace balanced nutrition. It’s crucial to eat healthy and balanced meals and stay away from all forms of crash dieting. Before taking any dietary supplements, be sure to discuss the options with your physician.
Meanwhile, here are seven important nutritients that may help you if you have a slow thyroid.
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Can You Start Taking Vitamin Supplements Without Consulting A Doctor
No. Even simply instructing someone to drink 2-3 litres of water per day without knowing a full health history can be dangerous if kidney disease is present.
Increasing your nutrient content through diet is an excellent way to start improving thyroid health overall. Leafy green vegetables, colourful fruits and vegetables, high quality protein and plant-based healthy fats should be the dietary focus. Taking specific nutrients in supplement form should be discussed with a knowledgeable practitioner.
Vitamin A And Hypothyroidism
You may not know this, but thyroid hormone and vitamin A have a important relationship.
Yet, most hypothyroidism sufferers are deficient in Vitamin A.
And this is a major problem for your thyroid health.
Thyroid hormone and Vitamin A work together synergistically to support your thyroid health.
Both are required to convert your cholesterol into all of your thyroid-protective youth hormones.
Simply put, being deficient in Vitamin A prevents you from being able to use thyroid hormone.
So, it wont matter how much thyroid medication you use, without adequate Vitamin A your thyroid medication wont help much.
And the more thyroid medication you use, the greater your need for Vitamin A.
Want to see just how necessary and power Vitamin A is for your thyroid health?
Take a look at this 2012 study published by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
It shows just how effective Vitamin A is for treating subclinical hypothyroidism.
The effect of vitamin A supplementation on thyroid function in premenopausal women.
Vitamin A caused a significant reduction in serum TSH concentrations in obese and nonobese groups. Serum T3 concentrations also increased in both obese and nonobese vitamin A-treated groups . Serum T4 decreased in all 3 groups after treatment.
This study looked at the response of thyroid function to Vitamin A supplementation in pre-menopausal women.
Yet, understanding these results is important as well.
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Selenium Is Essential For Thyroid Hormone Metabolism
Selenium supports efficient thyroid synthesis and metabolism, says Denise Londergan, RD, MPH, a registered dietitian in Ohio. Selenium may also reduce levels of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase an enzyme that plays an important role in the production of thyroid hormones in people with hypothyroidism, according to a study published in 2018 in the journal Diagnostics. Foods that provide selenium include tuna, shrimp, salmon, sardines, scallops, lamb, chicken, beef, turkey, eggs, and shitake mushrooms. Or you can take 100 to 200 micrograms of selenium in supplement form per day, Kellman says.
How Much Iodine Do I Need
Adults need 140 micrograms of iodine a day.
Most people should be able to get all the iodine they need by eating a varied and balanced diet.
If you are following a strict vegan diet and do not eat any fish, eggs, cows’ milk or other dairy products, then you may want to consider foods fortified with iodine or consider taking an iodine supplement.
Some types of plant-based drinks are also fortified with iodine. Check the label to see if it includes iodine.
If you are considering taking a supplement seek advice from a healthcare professional.
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Zinc Helps Synthesize Thyroid Hormone
In addition to selenium, zinc plays a role in the conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 to T3. Selenium and zinc are beneficial in improving thyroid function and hormone levels. According to a study in Hormones: The Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, zinc improves T3 levels significantly. Food include shellfish, mollusks, meat, legumes, and nuts. The recommended daily intake of zinc is 8 to 11 milligrams for adult women and men, respectively, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.