9 Thyroid Supplements Every Hypothyroid Patient Should Consider – The Complete Guide
Thyroid supplements (if used correctly) can help boost your thyroid function, help with weight loss and help you feel better.
The problem comes with knowing WHICH supplements to take and at WHAT dose.
It takes over 13 nutrients to create thyroid hormone, convert T4 to T3 and sensitize the cellular receptors to T3. Many thyroid supplements cram all of these nutrients into a supplement and call it "good". This is the WRONG approach to take.
Instead basing your supplementation off of the needs of your body is far superior. That means using lab work and other markers to find what nutrients you need in what doses.
9 Thyroid supplements that I find most hypothyroid patients are deficient in:
1. Vitamin B12 - Thyroid hormone is involved in the proper absorption of thyroid hormone. See the video for a complete list of symptoms. Repleting low vitamin B12 is best done through sublingual or intramsucular injections.
2. Adrenal support - Most thyroid patients also have issues with cortisol dysregulation. If you have advanced adrenal fatigue most patients do better on adrenal glandulars. For more mild disease consider using adrenal adaptogens. If your cortisol is elevated consider using phosphatidylserine.
3. Zinc - Low levels of zinc can cause issues with your skin and issue with hair growth. Adding zinc boosts immune function, T4 to T3 conversion and acts as an anti inflammatory. Make sure to supplement with zinc bound to picolinic acid.
4. Iron - This is what I consider a "goldilocks" nutrient in that you don't want TOO much or TOO little. Unfortunately most doctors look for iron deficiency anemia and don't necessarily jus treat iron deficiency unless anemia accompanies it. Use these optimal levels to supplement with iron.
5. Magnesium - Hypothyroidism alters magnesium and low levels of magnesium can lead to issues like depression, anxiety and other changes like muscle cramps or restless leg syndrome. Replace low levels with magnesium glycinate, magnesium citrate if you have constipation or magnsium threonate if you have neurological issues.
6. Selenium - This nutrient is involved in the thyroid conversion process. Not only that but supplementing has been shown to reduce TPO antibodies and boost the immune system. In addition using iodine with selenium can help reduce negative side effects.
7. Probiotics - Up to 20% of thyroid conversion happens in the gut and inflammation can reduce this number. Hypothyroidism sets up the gut for imbalances that lead to inflammation. Using probiotics can help improve your GI function.
8. Digestive enzymes - Hypothyroidism leads to low stomach acid which can predispose patients to malabsorption of certain nutrients. Using enzymes can help digest your food, increase nutrient absorption and if taken in between meals may promote the breakdown of immune complexes.
9. Iodine - If used correctly iodine can be helpful in boosting thyroid function. The thyroid hormone is made up of iodine moieties and low levels of iodine can reduce the amount of functioning thyroid hormone in the body.
More information in the video and the full blog post can be found here:
http://www.restartmed.com/thyroid-supplements/
You can read more on my website here:
http://www.restartmed.com/
My office is here:
Address: 3303 E Baseline Rd #204, Gilbert, AZ 85234
This video is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have questions about your health please consult your physician or primary care provider. Dr. Westin Childs goes to great lengths to produce high quality content but this is NOT a substitute for medical care.
The problem comes with knowing WHICH supplements to take and at WHAT dose.
It takes over 13 nutrients to create thyroid hormone, convert T4 to T3 and sensitize the cellular receptors to T3. Many thyroid supplements cram all of these nutrients into a supplement and call it "good". This is the WRONG approach to take.
Instead basing your supplementation off of the needs of your body is far superior. That means using lab work and other markers to find what nutrients you need in what doses.
9 Thyroid supplements that I find most hypothyroid patients are deficient in:
1. Vitamin B12 - Thyroid hormone is involved in the proper absorption of thyroid hormone. See the video for a complete list of symptoms. Repleting low vitamin B12 is best done through sublingual or intramsucular injections.
2. Adrenal support - Most thyroid patients also have issues with cortisol dysregulation. If you have advanced adrenal fatigue most patients do better on adrenal glandulars. For more mild disease consider using adrenal adaptogens. If your cortisol is elevated consider using phosphatidylserine.
3. Zinc - Low levels of zinc can cause issues with your skin and issue with hair growth. Adding zinc boosts immune function, T4 to T3 conversion and acts as an anti inflammatory. Make sure to supplement with zinc bound to picolinic acid.
4. Iron - This is what I consider a "goldilocks" nutrient in that you don't want TOO much or TOO little. Unfortunately most doctors look for iron deficiency anemia and don't necessarily jus treat iron deficiency unless anemia accompanies it. Use these optimal levels to supplement with iron.
5. Magnesium - Hypothyroidism alters magnesium and low levels of magnesium can lead to issues like depression, anxiety and other changes like muscle cramps or restless leg syndrome. Replace low levels with magnesium glycinate, magnesium citrate if you have constipation or magnsium threonate if you have neurological issues.
6. Selenium - This nutrient is involved in the thyroid conversion process. Not only that but supplementing has been shown to reduce TPO antibodies and boost the immune system. In addition using iodine with selenium can help reduce negative side effects.
7. Probiotics - Up to 20% of thyroid conversion happens in the gut and inflammation can reduce this number. Hypothyroidism sets up the gut for imbalances that lead to inflammation. Using probiotics can help improve your GI function.
8. Digestive enzymes - Hypothyroidism leads to low stomach acid which can predispose patients to malabsorption of certain nutrients. Using enzymes can help digest your food, increase nutrient absorption and if taken in between meals may promote the breakdown of immune complexes.
9. Iodine - If used correctly iodine can be helpful in boosting thyroid function. The thyroid hormone is made up of iodine moieties and low levels of iodine can reduce the amount of functioning thyroid hormone in the body.
More information in the video and the full blog post can be found here:
http://www.restartmed.com/thyroid-supplements/
You can read more on my website here:
http://www.restartmed.com/
My office is here:
Address: 3303 E Baseline Rd #204, Gilbert, AZ 85234
This video is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have questions about your health please consult your physician or primary care provider. Dr. Westin Childs goes to great lengths to produce high quality content but this is NOT a substitute for medical care.
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