Hypothyroidism, Vitamins & Minerals
Just a quick overview here, because everything I read seems to have a slightly different take on the issue, and I am a bit paranoid about making sure I’m posting good information. But there are indeed some nutrients that are very important to to thyroid function, and some supplements that seem like a good idea for almost any hypothyroid patient to take. As always, take my advice with a grain of salt, do your own research, and if in doubt, ask a doctor…
- B Vitamins — B vitamins are very important to the body’s synthesis of T4. A standard B-complex supplement will ensure you’re getting a sufficient supply of them. I take a B-50 supplement a few times a week to get the full B vitamin complex… you can also get B-100 supplements, but if you’re at all worried about taking too much B, the B-50 should be fine. However, some studies show that niacin (B3) supplementation can actually lower thyroid hormone levels, so be sure to keep up with your regularly scheduled blood tests, if you start taking B vitamins!
- Iodine — Iodine deficiency was once the leading cause of hypothyroid disorders. Iodine supplementation in table salt has largely eliminated iodine deficiency in the developed world, but it’s still worth checking if your iodine levels are adequate. If you are NOT suffering iodine deficiency, beware any advice to use iodine supplementation for your hypothyroidism… too much iodine can actually cause thyroid problems as well!
- Selenium — Selenium is used in the synthesis of T3 from T4. If your blood tests suggest your T3 levels are lagging behind your T4, you might try a good multi-mineral supplement with selenium. However, in cases where a patient is both selenium and iodine deficient, some studies have shown that selenium supplementation can actually make hypothyroid conditions worse. Again, it might be worth having your levels tested before taking supplements, but in most cases I’d imagine over-the-counter mineral supplements are unlikely to contain high enough levels of anything to cause a problem, if taken as directed.