Natural remedies to support the thyroid gland
In addition to a healthy and balanced diet, there are several dietary supplements you can take to support your thyroid, including:
Selen
Studies suggest that taking a selenium supplement can bring benefits to people with a low thyroid activity. A review of studies on selenium and thyroid diseases found that selenium supplements can be beneficial for people with auto-thyroiditis.immune and TED and that maintaining selenium levels is important to prevent thyroid disease (v). Another found that those who take selenium have lower blood levels of antibodies that attack the thyroid gland (vi). The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also confirmed that selenium contributes to normal thyroid function (vii).
Multivitamins and minerals
A general multivitamin and mineral supplement can support your overall health if you have a hyperactive or underactive thyroid, as nutrients important for thyroid health contain vitamin C complexes, E and B. Most B vitamins as well as magnesium are also important for the energy that can help if you experience fatigue as a result of an under-active or hyperactive thyroid.
However, if you have an underactive thyroid and you are considering taking a mineral and multivitamin supplement containing iron and/or calcium, do not take it at the same time as your levothyroxine tablet (the treatment for hypothyroidism). Leave at least a few hours between the two shots, as calcium and iron can affect your body’s ability to absorb levothyroxine.
Seaweed
If you have iodine deficiency, iodine-containing dietary supplements, such as algae, can help and EFSA supports claims that iodine contributes to normal thyroid function (viii). According to the British Dietetic Association, if you do not eat enough foods rich in iodine, a dietary supplement can
be useful – although, according to the NHS, iodine deficiency is not common in the UK (ix). If you have thyroid disease or are taking other medications, talk to your doctor before taking iodine.