Be careful when taking thyroid supplements. There are a lot of different kinds out there all with different ingredients. Sometimes testing should be done before taking supplements to ensure they are needed and the correct dose. 🔹 Vitamin D: Vitamin D should be an optimal level 50 - 70. If vitamin D status is not adequate the thyroid function won't be optimal. This is a level you want to get checked before supplementing at high doses. Also, you want to make sure you are taking adequate Magnesium. Another vitamin that should be taken with Vitamin D is vitamin K. Vitamin K is another fat-soluble vitamin (The fat soluble vitamins are K, A, D, and E).
🔹 Selenium: Some studies show selenium can help decrease TPO antibodies in autoimmune thyroiditis. It is also a factor in the conversion of T4 to active T3. Selenium is a supplement that you can get toxic in if you taken too much for a long time. Common dosing is 100 – 200 mcg a day. 🔹 Zinc: Zinc is also involved in conversion of T4 to T3. It might also reduce the amount of reverse T3. Zinc supplementation should also be monitored because too much zinc can cause a deficiency in copper.
🔹 Iodine: Iodine is needed for thyroid hormone production, however too much is not a good thing either. 150 mcg is the recommended daily amount. We do get iodine in our diet and sometimes thyroid supplements contain much more (which can have an opposite effect and inhibit thyroid synthesis). Know your iodine levels and consumption. (be aware that seaweed/kelp can have very high iodine levels). Some people can be deficient in iodine.
🔹 Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, is an amazing adaptogen that have been shown to increase circulating T3 and T4 (in animal studies). This adaptogen is not safe during pregnancy (please, please check your shakes, ect. for herbs while pregnant or if you are sharing these with your children. It makes me crazy!) Ashwagandha is also in the nightshade family so if you are very sensitive to nightshades you make want to check for a reaction.
🔹 Glandular thyroid products: I would not recommend taking these without testing or without the help of a professional. These can vary in concentrations and this could cause fluctuations in your thyroid hormones.
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