Sign Up for Our Healthy Living NewsletterThanks for signing up!Sign up for more FREE Everyday Health newsletters.SubmitWe respect your privacy.For some people, managing hypothyroidism isn't just about taking medications. They also turn to vitamins and other nutrients for help in managing the condition, which occurs when the thyroid doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone.“Vitamins and nutrients can help fight the underlying causes of thyroid disorders, such as autoimmune processes and inflammation, and help improve a dysfunctional thyroid,” says Raphael Kellman, MD, a functional medicine physician in New York City and author of “The Microbiome Diet.”However, it’s important to understand that no one should supplement with vitamins and minerals without medical advisement. “You want to first know your individual levels of these vitamins and minerals, which you can find out with a blood test,” Dr. Kellman says. Results may reveal you have a nutrient deficiency that requires you to get a higher amount of a certain vitamin or supplement.“
You also want to make sure you have all the facts on the vitamins and minerals you’d like to supplement with,” says MaryAnne Metzak, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian at Staten Island University Hospital in New York. And it’s important to keep the lines of communication open between you and your doctor. “Your doctor needs to know exactly how much of each vitamin and supplement you’re taking in case you have a negative reaction,” Metzak says.Specific nutrients that may be beneficial for hypothyroidism include:Iodine. You need an adequate supply of iodine to make thyroid hormone. The recommended minimum iodine intake for most adults is 150 micrograms a day, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Good food sources include milk, cheese, poultry, eggs, kelp, and other seaweeds, Kellman says. “But you have to be careful with supplementing iodine because too much can be problematic and actually cause hypothyroidism,” he says.Vitamin B. “Vitamin B is important for people with hypothyroidism because the B vitamins have many interactions with thyroid function and hormone regulation,” Metzak says.
It’s best to take a nutritional supplement that includes the entire vitamin B complex, and you may need additional vitamin B12 if a blood test reveals your levels are low, she says. Good food sources of vitamin B include whole grains, legumes, nuts, milk, yogurt, meat, fish, eggs, seeds, and dark leafy greens.“Selenium supports efficient thyroid synthesis and metabolism,” says Denise Londergan, RD, MPH, a registered dietitian at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. 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.In addition to selenium, zinc plays a role in the conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 to T3. Metzak says selenium and zinc are beneficial in improving thyroid function and hormone levels. Food sources of zinc include shellfish, mollusks, meat, legumes, and nuts. “If you opt for a zinc supplement, 30 milligrams is sufficient,” Kellman says.
“Tyrosine is a nutrient involved in thyroid hormone production and conversion,” Kellman says. One of the best ways to get more tyrosine, an amino acid, is to make sure you’re getting enough protein, Londergan says. Aim for 10 to 35 percent of your calories from protein each day.Vitamin D. “Research has shown a strong association with vitamin D deficiency and people with hypothyroidism,” Metzak says. In a study published in the November 2013 issue of the International Journal of Health Sciences, researchers looked at the vitamin D levels of 30 people with hypothyroidism and 30 who didn't have the condition and found that the vitamin D levels were significantly lower in those with hypothyroidism. You can get vitamin D from fortified milk, yogurt, and orange juice. “Food sources of vitamin D are often not adequate, however,” Kellman says. He recommends supplements for those who are vitamin D deficient. Your doctor can let you know if that’s necessary, and which dosage is best for you.
“The microbiome in the gut plays a critical role in many physiological processes, including thyroid function,” Kellman says. Because of this, he recommends taking a probiotic supplement. “I don’t necessarily recommend the supplement with the highest number of bacteria — although that’s important — but supplements with the most diversity,” he says. To get the maximum amount of different bacteria, Kellman recommends changing your probiotic supplement often.As with any chronic condition, a healthy diet can go a long way with hypothyroidism. “Eat an anti-inflammatory diet full of lots of fruits and vegetables and unprocessed foods, and limit sugar,” Londergan says. 5 Vitamins and Supplements for Thyroid Health By Alana Marie Burke | Wednesday, 24 Dec 2014 03:16 PM The thyroid is largely responsible for the body's metabolism that allows cells to create energy from food. Thyroid hormones also assist in the regulation of body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and the functioning of vital organs such as the liver and brain.
Thyroid disease can cause the thyroid to malfunction. In addition to medical treatments, there are vitamins and supplements that may support thyroid health. According to the American Thyroid Association, the disease afflicts an estimated 20 million people in the United States with varying degrees of the condition. An additional percentage of people may not be aware that they have the disease because they do not understand the symptoms. "Undiagnosed thyroid disease may put patients at risk for certain serious conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and infertility." Assess Your Heart Attack Risk in Minutes. Hypothyroidism is the underproduction of thyroid hormones and hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of hormones. Both conditions are treatable with medications, diet, and exercise. People with thyroid disease should consult with their physician before taking vitamins and supplements purported to support thyroid health. While some naturopaths and healers recommend certain supplements, others in the field of medicine caution against using them.
Here are 5 vitamins and supplements that may assist with thyroid health: 1. Omega-3 fatty acids: University of Maryland Medical Center suggests omega-3 fatty acids can help "decrease inflammation and help with immunity" for thyroid support. In addition, some studies have indicated that omega-3 fatty acids can increase thyroid hormone uptake. 2. Selenium: According to a study in the National Institutes of Health, "The thyroid is the organ with the highest selenium content per gram of tissue." Researchers found that "selenium status appears to have an impact on the development of thyroid pathologies." 3. Antioxidants and vitamins: Progressive Health recommends a number of vitamins for thyroid health. Vitamin A contains carotenes that the thyroid needs for normal functioning and low levels can affect the production of hormones. B vitamins are important with an emphasis on B12. One study found that "40 percent of the hypothyroid patients were also experiencing vitamin B12 deficiency."
Vitamin C, an antioxidant, can reduce "oxidative stress placed on the gland either by foreign toxins and harmful free radicals or from the reactive oxygen species produced during the syntheses of thyroid hormones." Vitamin D is recommended for its role in "preventing autoimmune thyroid diseases" and also vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant. However, selenium supplementation is recommended at the same time as vitamin E because the vitamin can cause an increase in the metabolism of selenium. 4. L-Carnitine: Life Extension Magazine reports that the amino acid L-Carnitine may benefit people with hyperthyroidism. According to one study, "…carnitine supplementation may not only offer relief from symptoms, but could help patients adhere to their medication regimens." 5. Iodine: "The thyroid gland needs iodine to make hormones. If the thyroid doesn’t have enough iodine to do its job, feedback systems in the body cause the thyroid to work harder," according to WebMD. While people with hypothyroidism do supplement with iodine, many in the medical community caution against this practice as it can have an unpredictable effect on hormone levels and cause hyperthyroidism.
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