Supplements and Thyroid Health: What to Know – Healthline

Thyroid conditions, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid cancer, are common. For example, up to 7% of the U.S. population has hypothyroidism, a condition in which your thyroid doesnt produce enough thyroid hormones (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.

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:

Other nutrients, including B vitamins and vitamins A and E, are also needed for optimal thyroid function. Being deficient in one or more nutrients can negatively affect thyroid health and increase your risk of thyroid disease (7, 8, 9, 10).

For most people, following a nutrient-dense diet rich in whole foods is enough to maintain optimal thyroid function.

However, certain populations may need to supplement their diet with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to maintain overall health, including the health of the thyroid.

These populations include people on restrictive diets, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and those who have a thyroid condition or other health issues.

Theres no doubt that a nutritious diet that provides optimal nutrient levels is important for maintaining thyroid health, nor that nutrient deficiencies can lead to thyroid issues.

Still, for people who dont have thyroid issues and follow a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet, theres typically no need to take thyroid-specific supplements.

In fact, certain supplements marketed toward those looking to promote thyroid health may be dangerous to take.

For example, many thyroid supplements contain high amounts of iodine and may contain thyroid hormones. Taking these supplements can lead to dangerous side effects and create thyroid issues in people with healthy thyroid function (11).

One study that analyzed 10 thyroid supplements found that the majority of them contained detectable amounts of T3 and T4. Some of the products tested contained more T3 and T4 than healthcare providers typically prescribe to people with hypothyroidism (11).

Taking these supplements may lead to elevated thyroid hormone levels in the blood and cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism, which can lead to dangerous complications (12, 13, 14).

Whats more, excessive iodine intake from supplements may cause hypothyroidism in susceptible individuals (12, 13, 14).

Thyroid supplements may be unsafe for people who have thyroid conditions, too.

This is because people with thyroid issues have specific needs, and taking supplements marketed to enhance thyroid health may negatively affect thyroid function, causing their health and symptoms to worsen.

As such, people with and without thyroid conditions should avoid taking supplements marketed to promote thyroid health. Instead, work with a practitioner to come up with a healthy and safe plan thats based on your specific needs and health status.

Its a smart idea to stay away from dietary supplements marketed to improve thyroid health. These products can cause health issues in people with and without thyroid disease.

Hashimotos disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. Its an autoimmune disease in which the immune system produces antibodies that attack the thyroid, causing fibrosis or scarring of the thyroid tissue (15).

Hashimotos disease is associated with a variety of symptoms, including weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, anemia, constipation, cold intolerance, joint pain, dry skin, mood changes, difficulty concentrating, and more (15).

In addition to medication, diet and lifestyle modification can help reduce thyroid damage and improve symptoms and overall quality of life in people with Hashimotos.

Plus, people with Hashimotos disease are more likely to be deficient in certain nutrients, which can worsen Hashimotos-related symptoms.

Studies show that the following supplements can be beneficial for those with Hashimotos disease:

Other supplements may help people with Hashimotos as well. However, the supplements above have the most research to support their use in the management of Hashimotos disease.

Research suggests that certain supplements, including selenium, zinc, iron, and vitamins D and B12, may be beneficial for people with Hashimotos 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 (31).

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).

Current treatment of Graves disease includes surgery, medication, and radioactive iodine therapy (RAI) (32).

Like Hashimotos disease, some research shows that dietary modifications may help improve symptoms and quality of life in people with Graves disease (33).

The following supplements may help people with Graves disease:

Other supplements may help people with Graves disease. Work with a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner to develop a supplement regimen thats right for you.

According to research, vitamin D, selenium, L-carnitine, and vitamin B12 may help people with Graves disease.

Thyroid cancer is considered a rare type of cancer, accounting for just 14% of all cancers in the United States. Cancers that stem from follicular cells in the thyroid account for up to 95% of all thyroid cancers (43).

Treatment for thyroid cancer includes surgical resection, radiation therapy, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression, radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy, total thyroidectomy, and palliative care management for untreatable thyroid cancer.

In addition to traditional treatment, diet, supplements, and lifestyle modifications may enhance treatment outcomes and improve quality of life in people with thyroid cancer.

Some animal and test-tube research suggests that omega-3 fats, curcumin, L-carnitine, quercetin, melatonin, resveratrol, selenium, inositol, zinc, and vitamins C, E, A, and D may benefit those with thyroid cancer (44, 45, 46).

Additionally, low iodine intake is linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancer, and research suggests that correcting iodine deficiency can help protect against the development of more aggressive forms of thyroid cancer (47).

However, although many of these nutrients, including vitamin D and selenium, are known to have anticancer effects, theres currently a lack of human studies investigating the effects of these dietary supplements in people with thyroid cancer (47, 48).

Therefore, more studies are needed before these supplements can be routinely recommended for people with thyroid cancer (47, 49).

The best way to determine the best supplement regimen for your specific needs is to consult your healthcare provider.

Oftentimes, either your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian that specializes in oncology nutrition will recommend supplements depending on your diet, overall health, and what treatments youre currently undergoing for thyroid cancer.

Although research suggests that some supplements may benefit people with thyroid cancer, human research is lacking. To ensure your safety, its best to check with your medical provider before taking any supplements.

As mentioned above, its best to avoid thyroid-specific supplement blends unless theyre specifically recommended by your healthcare provider.

Taking these supplements can harm your thyroid and lead to a thyroid condition (11, 12, 13, 14).

Still, there are many vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements that have been shown to improve thyroid function, reduce disease symptoms, and improve overall quality of life in people with thyroid disease.

For people who have Hashimotos disease, Graves disease, thyroid cancer, or other condition that affects the thyroid gland, its best to work with a qualified healthcare provider who specializes in thyroid conditions.

This is especially important if youre currently taking medications. Many supplements, especially herbal products, have the potential to interact with commonly prescribed medications and may lead to dangerous side effects.

Lastly, its important to always purchase supplements from trusted brands that independently test their products for quality and purity using organizations like USP and NSF International.

If youre interested in taking supplements to treat a thyroid condition, its important to work with a qualified healthcare provider. They can help you choose supplements based on your specific needs and health status.

Research shows that some vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients may benefit people with certain thyroid conditions.

However, its important to develop a supplement regimen based on your specific needs and health issues.

If youre interested in treating a thyroid condition with supplements, its important to work with a qualified healthcare provider to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Check out these two articles to help make supplement shopping a breeze:

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Supplements and Thyroid Health: What to Know - Healthline