People withthyroid diseasefrequently use dietary and herbal supplements.
But, there are many things to consider before taking these products.
Some may have benefits specifically for those who havehypothyroidism(underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell
On the other hand, some products may interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormones.
These side effects may complicate testing or pose other dangers.
That said, even supplements that may have benefits for some people could have potential risks for others.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 deficiencyis relatively common, especially in people over age 50.
So, it’s essential to ensure you receive adequate amounts of the vitamin.
you might find vitamin B12 in meat and animal products.
In this situation, you may want to consider a supplement.
It is naturally found in dairy and beef and is also available in supplement form.
Thyroid disease can make it difficult to lose weight.
Therefore, some people use CLA to support their weight loss goals.
However, the evidence to support this practice is mixed.
CLA can cause gas and digestive upset in some people.
If you are trying tolose weight with hypothyroidism, ask a healthcare provider for her recommendations.
Iodine
Iodine is an element that helps the thyroid produce hormones.
Most people get adequate iodine through iodized salt.
In addition, iodine is in some types of fish, milk, and eggs.
It is also available in supplement form.
Iodine deficiency is extremely rare in the United States.
Therefore taking iodine supplements may not only fail to help but could potentially make your condition worse.
The American Thyroid Association suggests avoiding daily consumption of dietary supplements with more than 500 micrograms of iodine.
Selenium
Seleniumis a mineral that is important in thyroid hormone metabolism.
It is in seafood, beef, poultry, and eggs.
Some foods are also fortified with selenium.
In addition, you’ve got the option to take it in supplement form.
Selenium has a narrow “therapeutic window,” meaning that even small excesses can be toxic.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral needed to produce thyroid hormones in the body.
It is in animal proteins, nuts, and whole grains.
Thiamine is a B vitamin (B1) necessary for metabolism.
It is in beans, lentils, fortified bread and cereals, and eggs.
So people with thyroid disease may wish to talk to a healthcare provider about supplementation.
Always talk to a healthcare provider before starting them to be sure it makes sense in your situation.
In addition, some supplements may cause problems even if taken later on.
Both of these can bind to the medication in the gut, preventing its absorption and reducing its effectiveness.
Unfortunately, many of these otherwise healthy foods havegoitrogens.
Doctors do not recommend that people with thyroid disease avoid these healthy foods.
Instead, it is wise to space them out in the diet and avoid supplements with concentrated amounts.
Biotin is a common ingredient in many supplements designed to improve hair, skin, and nails.
Some supplements may negatively interfere with thyroid medication or medical tests and increase certain health risks.
Supplements to Avoid
Some supplements are best avoided altogether by people who have thyroid disease.
Ashwagandha and Bladderwrack
Some herbal preparations may includeashwagandha(Indian ginseng) andbladderwrack(brown seaweed).
Ashwagandha comes from an evergreen shrub.
In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used for stress.
In traditional Chinese medicine,bladderwrackis used to treat thyroid disease.
Bladderwrack may also have dangerously high levels of iodine.
In addition, these products may cause problems when used withthyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Thyroid overstimulation can lead to hyperthyroidism.
Bovine Thyroid Extracts
Bovine thyroid extracts are made from the thyroid glands of cows.
They are sold as dietary supplements.
(These should not be confused with other thyroid hormone treatment options, such as Armour Thyroid.)
Ephedra
In 2004, the FDA prohibited the sale of dietary supplements containing the stimulantephedra.
However, some imported supplements and teas continue to contain this ingredient.
Ephedra is often marketed as a supplement for weight loss and energy.
But unfortunately, the dangers of ephedra outweigh any benefits and could be particularly concerning for people with hyperthyroidism.
That’s because it could further increase heart rate and blood pressure and lead to other issues.
Adverse effects have occurred even in people who are young and healthy.
They include:
Imported supplements may also contain other ingredients that the FDA doesn’t consider safe.
In addition, some of these ingredients' names may be unfamiliar.
Some supplements can be dangerous to take with thyroid conditions, even those marketed for use as thyroid supplements.
That’s because some have high levels of nutrients that may be toxic.
Others may interfere with thyroid medication.
However, supplements also carry risks.
Specifically, they might interfere with your standard thyroid treatment.
Therefore, it is always best to discuss taking supplements with a healthcare provider.
Just be sure to keep the person treating your thyroid disease in the loop about what you discuss.
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