A crucial yet sometimes overlooked little gland is the thyroid – responsible for helping to regulate the heart, proper development of bones and muscle, and digestive function. The thyrid plays a key role in regulating metabolism and energy levels. If you have struggled to lose weight and keep it off, an underactive thyroid gland – called hypothyroidism – may be the culprit. 

Correct functioning of the thyroid depends on a good supply of iodine in the diet, such as fish, dairy products, and eggs. It is also important to stick to a diet that is low in sugar and processed foods, as these can lead to inflammation, which can worsen the symptoms of an underactive thyroid. In addition to healthy lifestyle changes, there are supplements that encourage and assist with healthy thyroid activity.

Outlined below are the top recommended thyroid supplements and thyroid vitamins that help provide thyroid support to regulate a healthy thyroid. 

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that has an optimal effect on the immune system health. A poor functioning immune system damages the thyroid, which means it is no longer able to make enough of the hormone thyroxine, eventually leading to the symptoms of an underactive thyroid. 

Vitamin D helps you get in front of this issue early by promoting optimal immune health daily. Research suggests that Vitamin D deficiency is linked to hypothyroid, or an underactive thyroid. Dull skin, fatigue, bone pain and achiness, and poor immune system are all symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency. If this sounds like you, you may want to try a Vitamin D supplement!

Iodine

Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis by helping the thyroid gland to produce the thyroid hormone known as thyroxine. Many people, especially women, may be iodine deficient or insufficient. For these people, supplementation of iodine can be a good option for regulating thyroid health as iodine alone can lower Reverse t3 and improve thyroid function.

Iodine supplements help your cells to make protein and can lead to a boosted metabolism. Because 50% more iodine is required during pregnancy to meet fetal needs, it is also something that can boost cognitive development and fetal development. 

Magnesium

Magnesium can be incredibly helpful for many health conditions, especially thyroid support. The thyroid needs magnesium (among other trace minerals) to convert inactive thyroid hormones to active ones. Additionally, hypothyroidism causes adrenal stress, which can lead to insomnia.

Magnesium is needed to convert the inactive thyroid hormone T4 into the active thyroid hormone T3. Without this conversion, cells do not receive the more potent form of thyroid hormone. When magnesium levels are low, the thyroid is not able to function correctly. 

Magnesium can be found in many foods including dairy, dark leafy greens, and legumes. However, if you feel like you need additional magnesium to help maintain your thyroid health, you can consider taking magnesium supplements to make sure you are getting enough. 

The best magnesium supplements like this one called Quad Mgnesium contain more than one mag. You need more than one magnesium to affect your mood (lowers anxiety), your regularity (so you can poop every day), muscle contraction, muscle relaxation, heart palpitations and of course…T4 to T3 conversion. 

Vitamin B

B vitamins, especially Vitamin B12, are another example of a component that is essential for a healthy thyroid. A healthy gut is necessary for adequate B12 absorption, and gut health and thyroid go hand in hand. B12 is also extremely important to maintain a healthy nervous system and keeping energy levels high. 

A B complex supplement that has a blend of the most beneficial B vitamins is recommended, as Vitamin B also plays an important role in red cell metabolism, increasing your energy levels and strengthening your nervous system, in addition to benefiting your thyroid. B6 is another form of Vitamin B crucial for thyroid health because it helps the thyroid to utilize its iodine raw material efficiently to make thyroid-regulating hormones. 

Iron

Hypothyroidism is often linked to iron deficiency because anemia and low ferritin (iron storage) can interfere with thyroid function. Iron is required for the production of the thyroid hormones T4 and T3 in the thyroid gland, the conversion of T4 into the more active T3, and iron is required for the utilization of T3 inside the cell. 

Low iron levels and stores can be devastating on the thyroid gland because it plays a part in production, conversion, and utilization of thyroid hormone. Low ferritin can produce a variety of symptoms that can mimic low thyroid function, but low ferritin can also impair T4 to T3 conversion! 

If you suffer from brittle nails, weakness, headaches, cold hands and feet, and fatigue, you may want to consider iron supplements as a way to get healthy iron back into your system to help boost your thyroid health. 

T2 (3,5, diiodo l-thyronine) 

We can’t talk about the thyroid without bringing in T2, the Forgotten thyroid hormone. T2 does so many different things in the body and although it has no actual effect on thyroid lab values, it can improve the functioning of your body as a whole. T2 increases basal metabolic rate, which is the amount of fat that your body burns at rest. 

What this means, is that you can be a fat burning machine just sitting on your couch (even though that’s not recommended ). T2 also stimulates brown adipose tissue, the unwanted kind of fat. When T2 stimulates brown fat, insulin sensitivity improves as does overall fat burning. Think of brown fat as the Pac-Man and white fat as Blinky. Brown fat comes and eats the white fat!

T2 also improves mitochondrial function and ATP production for increased energy levels. Why wouldn’t all people be on T2? I’m not sure. Those with a known thyroid issue can take T2 and it won’t affect their labs. Those who don’t know if they have a thyroid problem but want to lose weight and improve energy can take it. It can be taken with or without thyroid medication. It can pretty much be taken by anyone who wants a better metabolism, better energy, and an overall better functioning body!

Conclusion

If you know or suspect that you have a thyroid problem, you need a thyoid expert like Dr. Amie Hornaman to help you identify the problem and determine the best course of action for your individual needs. Medical doctors do not have the training and knowledge that a funcitonal medicine practitioner has regarding supplementation, so you need someone who specializes in fixing thyroid problems to help you feel your best and achieve your health-related goals. 

Dr. Amie Hornaman, “The Thyroid-Fixer,” knows all about the thyroid gland from her own firsthand experience, from thyroid function to the various disorders that can affect it. She is the creator of The Fixxr™ Supplement line and the founder of The Institute for Thyroid and Hormone Optimization, an organization with transformational, proven approaches to address thyroid dysfunction and support people in returning to full health.

To further explore your thyroid health for a more curated treatment plan, take this thyroid quiz here. 

Science has played a vital role in the advancement of health and wellness. Through research and education, we have gained insight and understanding of the vital systems and organs required for optimal health. 

A crucial yet sometimes overlooked little gland is the thyroid – responsible for regulating the heart, proper development of bones and muscle, and digestive function.

The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolic rate, growth and development. It plays a key role in. If you have struggled to lose weight and keep it off, an underactive thyroid gland may be the culprit. 

The thyroid produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolic rate, growth and development.