Iodine deficiency can cause thyroid disorders. People with a healthy thyroid must have proper levels of iodine in their bodies. The recommended intake of iodine per day is relatively small, at micrograms mcg for people over 19 years old.

However, teens and people who are pregnant require a slightly higher dose at mcg. And those who are breastfeeding need mcg. Taking too much iodine in the form of supplements can cause hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, and hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid.

In people with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism , taking iodine supplements can be unnecessary or potentially harmful.

Doctors typically prescribe medications containing hormones T3 and T4. The thyroid gland uses iodine to make these hormones. However, some commercially available supplements contain a higher dosage of T3 and T4 than doctors prescribe.

This can lead to iatrogenic thyrotoxicosis, which can be fatal. Sources of iodine naturally available in food include :. Learn about signs of iodine deficiency here. A person should avoid supplements and natural boosters that contain kelp.

It could have adverse effects on thyroid function. The body requires selenium for antioxidant function and the metabolism of thyroid hormones. A deficiency of selenium can lead to thyroid dysfunction. However, high selenium intake in people without a deficiency may cause various conditions, such as hyperglycemia , atherosclerosis , or cancer.

Dietary sources of selenium include :. Learn more about foods that contain antioxidants here. The body requires zinc for thyroid function. Zinc plays a role in the synthesis and metabolism of thyroid hormones.

However, taking too much zinc for extended periods may cause digestive symptoms or lead to low copper levels or lowered immunity.

Learn the signs of zinc deficiency here. Iron deficiency anemia may cause hypothyroidism. However, taking too much iron can cause toxicity, decrease zinc absorption, and interact with medications. Some people with hypothyroidism, goiter , or thyroid cancer may take thyroxine as a medication.

Therefore, some doctors recommend waiting a couple of hours after taking thyroxine before taking an iron supplement. A person can incorporate iron in their diet by consuming the following foods:. Learn more about iron-rich foods here.

Vitamin D is a common dietary supplement that helps the body regulate calcium and phosphate production. However, these links are not definite, and researchers have called for more studies to confirm them. Taking too much vitamin D can be dangerous. This almost always happens due to taking supplements and can lead to kidney failure.

Learn more about vitamin D-rich foods here. Vitamin A regulates thyroid hormone metabolism and inhibits thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH. Researchers in a review highlight the critical role vitamin A plays in thyroid function.

For example, deficiency in vitamin A can worsen thyroid disorders that have happened due to iodine deficiency. Retinoids, a type of vitamin A, can adversely affect iodine metabolism. However, they went on to say that more research is necessary to confirm any benefits of treating thyroid disorders with vitamin A.

Dietary sources of vitamin A include :. Learn more about foods that are high in vitamin A here. In this disease, antibodies attack the thyroid gland, which leads to it being unable to produce enough thyroid hormones.

Learn more about vitamin B12 food sources here. Thyroid cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women in the U. However, the impact of nutrition and supplements on the disease is still unclear. A review looked at the relationship between thyroid cancer, nutritional factors, and dietary habits.

The authors concluded that correcting iodine deficiency can make thyroid cancer subtypes less aggressive without affecting the overall risk for cancer. Furthermore, they noted that the clinical usefulness of selenium and vitamin D supplementation is still uncertain.

Learn more about thyroid cancer here. People with a thyroid disorder must speak to a healthcare professional to check that supplements are safe for them to take. The Food and Drug Administration FDA does not regulate dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness, but they have established good manufacturing practices for supplement companies.

Additionally, people can look out for quality assurance seals from independent organizations. Learn more about how supplements and drugs can interact here. Thyroid disorders are complex health issues that require treatment from qualified health professionals. Taking supplements may benefit some people in some circumstances but may also cause symptoms to worsen or lead to other health risks.

Some supplements, such as vitamin D and selenium, may be beneficial for thyroid disorders, but currently, the research is inconclusive.

Diet and exercise also play an important role. For example, low-calorie diets or diets that eliminate entire food groups can make it hard to meet your nutritional needs and support thyroid health. Having too high or too low blood sugar can also interfere with thyroid health. National Library of Medicine.

Wu, K. Lifestyle is associated with thyroid function in subclinical hypothyroidism: a cross-sectional study. BMC endocrine disorders , 21 1 , Talaei, A. The effects of vitamin D supplementation on thyroid function in hypothyroid patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism , 22 5 , — Appunni, S. Association between vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey NHANES Amrein, K.

et al. Vitamin D deficiency 2. Eur J Clin Nutr 74 , —, Singh, G. A predictive equation to guide vitamin D replacement dose in patients. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM, 27 4 , — Gorini, F.

Selenium: an element of life rssential for thyroid function. Molecules Basel, Switzerland , 26 23 , van Zuuren, E. Selenium supplementation for Hashimoto's thyroiditis: summary of a Cochrane systematic review. European thyroid journal , 3 1 , 25— Santos, L.

Selenium and Selenoproteins in immune mediated thyroid disorders. Diagnostics Basel, Switzerland , 8 4 , Ventura, M. Selenium and thyroid disease: from pathophysiology to treatment.

International journal of endocrinology , , National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Zinc deficiency associated with hypothyroidism: an overlooked cause of severe alopecia. International journal of trichology , 5 1 , 40— Rabbani, E.

Randomized study of the effects of zinc, vitamin A, and magnesium co-supplementation on thyroid function, oxidative stress, and hs-CRP in patients with hypothyroidism.

Biological trace element research , 11 , — Foster, M. Effect of vegetarian diets on zinc status: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in humans. Journal of the science of food and agriculture, 93 10 , — Katagiri, R. Effect of excess iodine intake on thyroid diseases in different populations: A systematic review and meta-analyses including observational studies.

PloS one , 12 3 , e Chung H. Iodine and thyroid function. Maldonado-Araque, C. Iron deficiency is associated with Hypothyroxinemia and Hypotriiodothyroninemia in the Spanish general adult population: Di bet.

es study. Scientific reports , 8 1 , Luo, J. Iron deficiency, a risk factor of thyroid disorders in reproductive-age and pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in endocrinology , 12 , Name, J. Iron bisglycinate chelate and polymaltose iron for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia: a pilot randomized trial.

Current pediatric reviews , 14 4 , — Milman, N. Ferrous bisglycinate 25 mg iron is as effective as ferrous sulfate 50 mg iron in the prophylaxis of iron deficiency and anemia during pregnancy in a randomized trial. Journal of perinatal medicine , 42 2 , — Published March 10, Aon, M.

Vitamin B12 cobalamin deficiency in overt and subclinical primary hypothyroidism. Clinical medicine insights. Endocrinology and diabetes , 15 , Aktaş H. Vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels in patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism and their correlation with anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies.

Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre , 29 4 , — Benvenga, S. The role of inositol in thyroid physiology and in subclinical hypothyroidism Mmnagement. National Institutes of Health Office of DIetary Supplements. Vitamin C. Ardabilygazir, A.

E ffect of High-dose Biotin on Thyroid Function Tests: Case Report and Literature Review. Cureus , 10 6 , e Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content.

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By Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RD. Medically reviewed by Danielle Weiss, MD. Fact checked by Rich Scherr. Editor's Note Our team of registered dietitians reviews and evaluates every single supplement we recommend according to our dietary supplement methodology.

Our Top Picks. Best Vitamin D:. Best Selenium:. Best Zinc:. Best Iodine:. Best Iron:. In This Article Expand. Our Picks. Are Thyroid Supplements Beneficial? Who May Not Benefit from Thyroid Supplements. We Do Not Currently Recommend. How We Select Supplements. What to Look For. Best Vitamin D.

Nature Made Vitamin D3. Pros USP Verified Budget-friendly Research-backed maintenance dose. Cons Not suitable for soy-free or vegan diets. Best Selenium. Now Foods Selenium mcg. Pros Third-party tested and extensive in-house testing Budget-friendly Allergy-friendly, vegan, Non-GMO.

Cons Dose may be higher than some needs. Best Zinc. Thorne Research Zinc Picolinate. Pros NSF Certified for Sport Third-party tested Zinc is the only ingredient. The 7 Best Zinc Supplements of Best Iodine. Swanson Kelp. Pros Third-party tested Budget-friendly. Cons May not be appropriate for someone with shellfish allergy.

Important Note About Iodine Supplementation Excess iodine is problematic for thyroid health and can exacerbate hypothyroid. Best Iron. Pros Third-party tested Vegan, Non-GMO, and gluten-free Form is gentler on gastrointestinal system. Cons Some may not like the taste. The 9 Best Iron Supplements of The following groups of people may not benefit from supplements: Those that have had their thyroid removed.

People with adequate nutrient levels.

In the body, Coleus forskohlii acts as an adaptogen by encouraging production of T4 and T3 thyroid hormones when levels are too low. Coleus forskohlii also helps to increase basal baseline metabolism, helping the body to burn more calories by increasing lipolysis.

This is a significant benefit for women experiencing low thyroid weight gain. Naturopathic doctors generally recommend between mg a day of Coleus forskohlii when low thyroid symptoms appear. Bacopa monnieri, also called brahmi, is another traditional Ayurvedic herb used to treat low thyroid.

Animal studies have found that Bacopa increased thyroid hormone production by as much as 41 percent when taken daily. In this study, mice were given a mg dose of the herb. Bacopa is often used in combination with other herbs. For some people, Bacopa may cause side effects including nausea and diarrhea.

T-Balance Plus , our exclusive formula for low thyroid support contains Bacopa, Coleus, along with other beneficial nutrients.

Research is beginning to turn up other natural compounds that are helpful treatments for low thyroid. These include:. High levels of stress hormones can harm the thyroid. The amino acid L-theanine helps to reduce stress response activity in the body, balancing stress hormones and helping to protect thyroid function.

Vitamin D helps to regulate the immune system and lowers inflammation. Research has shown that there is a link between Vitamin D deficiency and damaging autoimmune thyroid diseases. There are easy ways to boost your Vitamin D levels , including supplementation. NAC is used by the body to build antioxidants, which in turn help to support improved thyroid function.

This member of the B-complex vitamin group has been clinically shown to increase T4 levels when used in combination with selenium. It may be especially helpful for women with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Gut health and thyroid health are connected. Good gut health is important for the conversion of iodine into iodide as well as absorption of other vitamins, minerals and herbs for thyroid health. Of special interest to those who take thyroid medication, researchers found that taking a probiotic helped with thyroid medication absorption to such a great degree that many were able to lower their thyroid medication dose upon the advice of their doctor.

For best results, take a high quality probiotic with multiple strains of beneficial bacteria. In general, pregnant and lactating women should check with their health care provider before taking any supplement.

When taking supplements or thyroid medication, monitor yourself for side effects and let your health care provider know anything that may be of concern. The most common side effects from supplementation are GI-related distress including nausea and diarrhea. If you have not had thyroid testing , but suspect you have thyroid dysfunction, this can be an important first step towards understanding your specific supplement needs.

Ask your doctor to test free T4 and T3 levels, not just TSH levels as T4 and especially T3 can show you how well your body is converting and utilizing thyroid hormones. To ensure that you are getting the correct amount of nutrients — not too much and not too little — look for a high quality multi-nutrient supplement formulated for low thyroid support.

Giving your thyroid a natural boost and finding relief from low thyroid symptoms can take time as your thyroid begins to repair itself. As healthy thyroid function returns, you may notice that you are losing weight , your energy levels are returning, your hair is growing back and you have a restored feeling of good health and vitality.

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Learn ABOUT US. Login to My Account. Contact Us. Link copied. Most popular articles on Thyroid health. It has many health benefits , including its ability to help optimize thyroid hormone levels in healthy individuals.

Initial findings are promising and additional studies with a larger sample size and longer duration are warranted. B vitamins support the conversion of food into usable energy in the body. Deficiencies in B vitamins are common in people with thyroid issues and can affect thyroid functioning.

Vitamin B12 is generally lower in those with blood markers of reduced thyroid function. B12 is lower in those with thyroid disorders, due to multifactorial reasons. You should talk to your doctor about measuring your thyroid levels first to ensure your levels are adequate before starting any supplementation.

They are strongly associated with supporting cardiovascular, brain, and eye health. These healthy fats can become part of cell membranes, which may help favorably alter thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH receptor activity and thyroid hormone regulation.

Omega-3s are naturally found in fatty fish and seafood in the essential EPA and DHA forms, as well as in plant foods as the ALA form that can partially convert to the essential forms. Supplements are also an excellent way to get omega-3s.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that acts as a cofactor in over processes in the body including energy production. Although it is a highly needed nutrient, most people do not get enough in their diet. On top of poor dietary intake, magnesium depletion can occur with stress.

Increasing intake of foods rich in magnesium, such as pumpkin seeds, tuna, dark leafy greens, and nuts, or taking a magnesium supplement may help meet your needs.

Severely low levels can impact thyroid function since magnesium is needed as a cofactor to convert T4 to T3 active thyroid hormone. Magnesium is also needed for metabolizing vitamin D, which we know is also important for thyroid health. You can have your blood levels of magnesium checked, but red blood cell RBC levels of magnesium may be a more accurate measure of true levels of magnesium available in the body.

L-tyrosine is a key amino acid needed to make dopamine and norepinephrine. It is considered a non-essential amino acid since it can be made from another amino acid in the diet called phenylalanine.

Tyrosine is involved in thyroid health as an amino acid that acts as a precursor for thyroid hormones , combining with iodine to help synthesize thyroid hormones.

One of the main benefits of L-tyrosine is its ability to replenish levels of catecholamines in the brain. By this mechanism, supplementation with tyrosine has been shown to enhance working memory when experiencing stress. Turmeric is a popular yellow spice known for its health benefits mainly, due to its active compound curcumin.

The antioxidant-like properties of curcumin can support thyroid function by managing oxidative stress , which can impact thyroid gland function. An animal study found that turmeric supplementation resulted in increased thyroid hormone levels.

Bladderwrack is a seaweed that has been traditionally used as a natural remedy to support thyroid health, particularly in cases of reduced thyroid function.

Bladderwrack also contains an antioxidant called fucoxanthin and others that can help reduce oxidative damage that could impact the thyroid gland. Of note, clinical studies on bladderwrack are limited, and it is best to avoid this seaweed if pregnant or breastfeeding to avoid overdosing on iodine.

Guggul is a gum resin obtained from the Guggul tree native to India and other parts of Asia. It has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to support various aspects of health, including thyroid function.

It contains active compounds called guggulsterones have been shown in animal studies to boost thyroid function. While preclinical research shows some promise, there is not much clinical research to understand this in humans.

There is stronger research , however, for guggul in promoting cardiovascular health by maintaining healthy cholesterol levels already in normal range.

It is best to avoid taking guggul if pregnant or breastfeeding. Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogen that can help you feel energized and alert.

The active compound called salidroside that is prevalent in species of Rhodiola has demonstrated thyroid supportive effects. Studies have shown that rhodiola rosea can help manage regulation of the stress hormone cortisol , which has a known impact on thyroid function.

By modulating cortisol levels, Rhodiola rosea may promote a healthier balance in the body's stress response system, potentially benefiting the thyroid. Due to lack of evidence on its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is best to avoid during those stages of life.

Forskolin is a plant compound derived from a coleus plant native to India that exhibits health benefits potentially impacting thyroid health. Animal studies have shown stimulating properties of forskolin on levels of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4.

While more human research is needed, the animal studies are promising for the use of forskolin in the cases where thyroid hormone production needs support. Forskolin is possibly unsafe during pregnancy, and there is limited research on its safety during lactation.

So it is best to avoid using forskolin during either of those times. Always consider having blood work done with your doctor before trying herbs or supplements to support thyroid function. There are some easy ways to boost your thyroid naturally.

First of all, you can try maintaining a healthy balanced lifestyle. Exercising can promote and maintain healthy thyroid hormone production. You may also want to try to take steps to reduce stress. Stress causes your body to release cortisol, and too much cortisol can interfere with thyroid hormone production.

Lastly, you can make adjustments to your diet — more on that below. There are fortunately quite a few foods that are great for thyroid health. Some of these options are high in selenium, including:. Some iodine-rich options include :. Thyroid medication should be taken away from other supplements.

Consult with a medical professional before embarking on thyroid supplements. Certain lifestyle factors can negatively impact thyroid health, including smoking, drinking alcohol, insufficient nutrient intake, too little or too much iodine intake, infections, and stress. Lack of quality sleep and regular exercise are also associated with reduced thyroid health.