Some traditional medicines use herbs to support thyroid health. These include herbs that can benefit both an under- and overactive thyroid. However, more scientific research is needed to confirm the benefits of herbs for thyroid conditions. Individuals should always contact a doctor or healthcare professional if they experience symptoms relating to thyroid conditions or before starting a herbal treatment plan.

Some supplements that claim to boost thyroid health are now commercially available. However, they could lead to dangerous complications. Learn more. Coconut oil may benefit health in many ways, including thyroid health. Learn about the current evidence.

If a person has a thyroid condition, medication may help them manage their weight. The thyroid cartilage is a cartilage structure that sits above the thyroid gland in front of the larynx. Learn more about its structure and function.

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. About the thyroid gland Herbs and the thyroid Contacting a doctor Summary No herbs can replace thyroid hormones, but some may support thyroid function and health.

What is the thyroid gland? Herbs for thyroid health. When to contact a doctor. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

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Atlantic diet may help prevent metabolic syndrome. Related Coverage. Supplements are not designed to treat or cure medical conditions. Instead, they work best in supporting optimal thyroid function and are often used with a combination of other forms of treatment like medication when needed , diet, stress reduction, and sleep.

I created the Thyroid Support supplement with essential thyroid nutrients like iodine, vitamin A, and selenium plus other supportive nutrients like zinc, copper, and l-tyrosine to provide comprehensive thyroid support.

Changes in your menstrual cycle can also be a sign of thyroid issues. Thyroid blood tests can be tricky. The standard testing doesn't always include all the different markers you need to get a complete picture of what's going on with your thyroid. For example, the TSH test is often used as the primary indicator of thyroid function, but it doesn't tell you the full story.

It's best to work with a healthcare practitioner who specializes in thyroid health to make sure you're getting the proper tests and treatment for your specific situation. The following are what I've found to be the best thyroid support supplements. It's a long list, so I also created my Thyroid Support Kit to contain as many thyroid-supportive nutrients in as few capsules as possible so you don't feel like you have to plan your day around taking supplements.

Plus, it supports your adrenal glands in functioning at their best. Iodine and the thyroid go hand-in-hand, but the relationship is complicated.

It's a critical nutrient for thyroid function because its job is to help make thyroid hormones T3 and T4. So without enough iodine , the body can't make thyroid hormone, leading to hypothyroid.

But here's where it gets tricky. Too much iodine also increases the risk of hypothyroidism, especially Hashimoto's , as seen by raising antibodies. Excess iodine can essentially slow down the production of thyroid hormones and damage thyroid cells.

So the right balance, especially with other nutrients like selenium, is critical. The RDA for iodine intake is micrograms mcg for adults and mcg during pregnancy. Generally, research suggests that more than mcg of iodine a day can adversely impact the thyroid and increase thyroid antibodies.

Magnesium is a nutrient all-star and is so helpful for many women's health conditions, especially thyroid support. Low magnesium can impact your Hashimoto's risk and worsen symptoms by increasing thyroid antibodies.

The thyroid needs magnesium and other trace minerals to convert inactive thyroid hormone to active. Magnesium is also supportive of feelings of anxiety or insomnia. Hypothyroid increases adrenal stress and can cause anxiety, and magnesium has calming effects on the nervous system.

The RDA for magnesium is mg for women, but many don't get enough in their diet and because it is used in so many processes by the body, have suboptimal levels can be problematic.

A magnesium supplement can help increase intake with most people doing well to aim for mg in a supplement. Inositols are a group of compounds involved in hormone signaling, including TSH. Myo-inositol is a type of inositol that's especially beneficial for thyroid health.

I use inositol in my practice often for PCOS, but it's also helpful for lowering TSH levels. Studies show and I've found that myo-inositol works with selenium to support healthy thyroid function, especially with Hashimoto's , where it can lower thyroid antibodies.

It also appears to help with subclinical hypothyroidism and may even reduce thyroid nodules. The general recommendation is 2, mcg of inositol aka myoinositol daily for supporting thyroid health. Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and beneficial for many women's health conditions, including thyroid disorders.

Since Hashimoto's is an autoimmune condition, chronic inflammation is closely linked. Autoimmunity means that your immune system is upregulated including the inflammatory process as the body mistakenly attacks its own tissue. In the case of Hashimoto's, the body is attacking thyroid cells.

Studies on thyroid health indicate this inflammation and oxidative stress can damage thyroid cells. Plus, inflammation could prevent your cells from being responsive to thyroid hormones. Eating a diet rich in foods containing omega-3 fatty acids or supplementing since many people don't get enough from their diet may help promote healthy inflammation levels to reduce the impact on your thyroid.

When supplementing, most people do well to aim for about 1,, mg of a high quality omega-3 fatty acid. B vitamins, especially vitamin B12 , are also essential components for a healthy thyroid. You need a healthy gut for adequate B12 absorption, and as you learned above, gut health and the thyroid are inextricably linked.

B12 is critical for a healthy nervous system, energy, and low levels can contribute to anemia. Research suggests that vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to Hashimoto's, with higher thyroid antibodies associated with lower vitamin B Another study found that around 40 percent of the participants with hypothyroid also had vitamin B12 deficiency.

The RDA varies for each of the B vitamins. While many people can get these vitamins from food, if there are issues with the gut or absorption or following a strictly plant-based diet in the case of B12, supplementing with a B complex could be helpful.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in thyroid hormone metabolism. It helps inhibit TSH by downregulating a gene required for its production.

Vitamin A works with other nutrients like zinc to convert inactive to active thyroid hormone. A study on women who supplemented with vitamin A found that it lowered TSH and could help with subclinical hypothyroidism. Another study concluded that vitamin A can support healthy thyroid function.

These soft-gels do contain soybean oil, which may not be appropriate for someone with a soy allergy, and they also contain gelatin, which is not vegan. Key specs:.

Active Nutrient : vitamin D3 Dose : 2, IU Servings per container : Our thyroid uses a significant amount of selenium , and some research shows that people with autoimmune thyroid diseases both Hashimoto's and Graves are more likely to have low levels of selenium. Now Foods selenium contains micrograms of selenomethionine, which is the form found in food and known to be one of the two forms that is most absorbable by humans the other is selenocysteine.

Most studies that have evaluated the benefits of selenium in relation to thyroid health have tested between to micrograms, with micrograms being most common. Because some supplements have been shown to have higher amounts than is listed on the label, choosing a third-party verified product like this one, can be extra important for selenium supplements.

As NOW Foods also does extensive in-house product testing, this product is doubly verified to contain what it says it contains without harmful contaminants. Active Nutrient : selenomethionine Dose : mcg Servings per container : Zinc is a trace mineral that is important for thyroid health. Some preliminary reports suggest that zinc deficiency may be associated with hypothyroidism, and one study found that zinc supplements along with other vitamins and mineral supplements improved thyroid health markers among people with hypothyroidism.

Zinc is available in a variety of foods including seafood, beef, nuts, beans, and dairy. However, zinc deficiency or inadequacy is common among vegans, some vegetarians, and people with gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease. Vegans and vegetarians also need to consume more zinc than meat eaters because phytates found in many plant-based foods can reduce absorption.

As a third verification, Thorne does extensive third-party testing on all of its products. Active Nutrient : zinc picolinate Dose : 30 mcg Servings per container : Iodine is an essential mineral required for thyroid health and iodine deficiency can cause hypothyroidism.

While iodine deficiency is rare in the United States, the increased use of non-iodized table salt such as sea salt and Himalayan salts could lead to insufficiency or less than optimal levels in some people. It has also been third-party tested for ingredient amounts and contaminants. Be aware some multivitamins and prenatals contain iodine.

Active Nutrient : iodine from kelp Dose : mcg Servings per container : Excess iodine is problematic for thyroid health and can exacerbate hypothyroid. Studies have linked iron deficiency to hypothyroid in both pregnant and non-pregnant people. While more research is needed to understand how supplements can support thyroid health, if you are deficient in iron, it could be contributing to non-autoimmune thyroid problems.

Iron is known to interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine, a common medication to treat hypothyroid. Iron supplements should always be taken four hours apart from thyroid medications. Active Nutrient : iron bisglycinate Dose : 18 mg Servings per container : It depends.

Whether or not a supplement will support thyroid health depends on the type of thyroid disorder and underlying reason for the disorder. However, taking supplements when they are unnecessary can actually have the opposite effect.

For example, excess iodine can actually make thyroid problems worse. Understanding the type of disorder you have is also essential. The following groups of people may not benefit from supplements:. Combination thyroid supplements: There are many supplements marketed to support thyroid health that combine a variety of vitamins and minerals and sometimes herbs and other ingredients.

There is no research to support combining multiple nutrients, and, in many cases, more is not better. Vitamin B Research on the relationship between vitamin B12 and thyroid health is conflicting. Some studies suggest that people with hypothyroid are more likely to be deficient in B12 whereas others suggest no relationship.

More research is needed to understand if supplements can support thyroid health. If you have a known B12 deficiency, talk to a healthcare provider about a supplement to support repletion. To better understand if you should be supplementing with B12, and, if so, which supplements to choose, take a look at our article covering the best B12 supplements.

Inositol: Inositol is a precursor to a messenger that helps produce thyroid stimulating hormone TSH. Preliminary research suggests that inositol also known as MYO-inositol supplements may improve TSH and thyroid antibody levels.

However, more research is needed to understand the safety and efficacy of supplementing with inositol in relation to thyroid health as well as proper dosing. Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here.

We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products. It's important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market.

Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend.

We interviewed the following experts to get thyroid supplement recommendations:. Jillian Greaves, MPH, RD, LDN. Melissa Groves Azzaro, RDN, LD. Supplements that are third-party tested are sent to a lab where they are tested to ensure they contain what they say they contain and are not contaminated with specific high-risk, common contaminants.

Most vitamin and mineral supplements come in a variety of forms. In some cases, such as vitamin D, there is one form D3 that is recommended. In other cases, such as iron, the best form for you may depend on your specific goals and health status.

We reviewed top forms within each supplement recommendation, but we recommend discussing the best form of each supplement with a healthcare provider. It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included, relative to the recommended daily value of that ingredient.

Please bring the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications you are taking.

Some thyroid supporting nutrients like selenium, zinc, and iodine are combined with other vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Some iron supplements also contain vitamin C, as vitamin C aids the absorption of iron.

Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs and to understand which dosage to take.

Each supplement discussed in this article has a different RDA. Please review those amounts discussed within each of the individual supplement recommendations. Some nutrients, such as vitamin D, can be stored in fat tissue and can be dangerous when consumed in excess through supplementation.

Minerals such as iron, iodine, selenium, and zinc can also lead to serious side effects if consumed in excess. Over-supplementing with nutrients like iodine, selenium, or iron can be harmful and make thyroid issues worse.

Whether individual supplement or a combination product like a multivitamin, you can ensure that your supplement does not exceed those upper limits by running your supplement by a healthcare provider. For example, levothyroxine is a common medication used to treat hypothyroid, and iron supplements are known to interfere with effectiveness of this medication.

If you are taking thyroid medication, always check with a healthcare provider before starting any supplements and to create the best plan for when to take them.

Biotin is found in many supplements including B-complex supplements , prenatals, multivitamins, and supplements marketed to support hair, skin, and nails. It may also be found in combination with collagen powders or other collagen supplements. The safety of thyroid supplements depends on the type of supplement, the dose, and the individual taking the supplement.

Thyroid health is largely dependent on lifestyle, and a lot can be done to support your thyroid before considering supplements.

Start by ensuring you are getting adequate sleep and managing stress. 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.