Did you know that 20 million Americans have some type of thyroid disorder? In addition, women are five to eight times more likely to get diagnosed with a thyroid condition than men. 

While thyroid problems are common in the United States, fortunately, there are also many possible ways to treat these conditions. In fact, you may have heard of some people using thyroid supplements. 

If you’re considering using supplements that can help promote thyroid health, keep reading to find out what you need to know. 

Is Taking Thyroid Supplements Safe? 

There seem to be a lot of controversies out there about whether or not taking thyroid supplements is safe. Considering the fact that some supplements can have ingredients that are harmful to people with certain thyroid conditions, the answer to that question is, it depends. 

While it’s great to get the nutrition you need from your diet, it’s not always possible. In these instances, taking a supplement can help your body get the nutrients it needs to function. 

If you’re planning on taking supplements for thyroid care, you need to discuss it with your doctor first. Your doctor can make sure that the supplement you’re considering won’t interact with medications or cause more problems with your thyroid. 

In addition, they’ll be able to educate you on other possible effects of supplements. 

Benefits of Thyroid Supplements

If you’re still wondering whether or not it’s even worth the conversation with your doctor, we have that answer for you, too. There are many benefits to taking supplements that aid in thyroid health. 

One: Reduce Fatigue

One possible component of a thyroid supplement is thiamine. This is a B vitamin, and it’s needed for metabolism. 

Individuals with Hashimoto’s or Grave’s disease might not adequately absorb thiamine. 

In one study, patients getting treated for Hashimoto’s disease were given thiamine. Over the course of a few days or hours, there was a regression of fatigue symptoms. 

Two: Increase Thyroid Hormone Production

Zinc is required in your body to help with the production of thyroid hormones. However, for people who have reduced zinc levels, their thyroid will produce fewer thyroid hormones.

In addition, there’s a bit of a loop going on here because thyroid hormones are needed to help your body absorb zinc. 

Therefore, insufficient zinc levels could be a reason behind hypothyroidism. But, hypothyroidism can also create an acquired zinc deficiency. 

For individuals with hypothyroidism, zinc in thyroid supplements could help increase the production of thyroid hormones. 

One study on this looked at two young women in college. These women were given zinc over a four-month period. 

Researchers analyzed the parameters of the study at zero, two, and four months. Over the course of four months, both women’s zinc deficiency was corrected, and there were positive results for thyroid hormone levels as well. 

Three: Reduce Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody Levels

Thyroid peroxidase or TPO is an enzyme that gets found in your thyroid gland. It helps to produce two thyroid hormones that are important, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. 

In order to produce these hormones, TPO uses an important nutrient in your body, iodine. However, antibodies can disrupt that process and keep your TPO from having the ability to use iodine. 

When your thyroid isn’t able to make enough hormones, it results in hypothyroidism. In addition, the antibodies can also cause inflammation. 

This inflammation can, over time, destroy part or all of your thyroid gland and cause it to form nodules or become enlarged. 

However, research has looked at selenium as a possible answer. Research has shown that selenium supplements can help normalize antibody concentrations. 

However, there is some risk with taking selenium supplements. The therapeutic window is very small, and taking it in excess can be toxic. Make sure you talk to your doctor about proper dosage. 

Four: Improve Iron Deficiency Anemia

Are you struggling with iron deficiency anemia and hypothyroidism? It’s possible that they’re connected, according to research.

Iron deficiency anemia could be the cause of hypothyroidism. Taking supplements with iron in them could help with this. 

However, taking too much iron can decrease zinc absorption. Iron might also interact with some thyroid medications. 

Talk to your doctor before you begin taking iron or a vitamin with iron. 

Five: Increase Vitamin D levels

Many studies are looking at possible links between vitamin D and thyroid disorders. However, one thing that has been noted is the fact that individuals with thyroid cancer and autoimmune hypothyroidism often have lower levels of Vitamin D. 

Six: Regulate Thyroid Hormone Metabolism

Vitamin A is another vitamin that plays a significant role in your thyroid. This vitamin can help regulate thyroid hormone metabolism and inhibit thyroid-stimulating hormone. 

If you don’t have enough Vitamin A in your body, thyroid disorders can become worse. One type of Vitamin A is retinoids.

It can negatively affect the metabolism of iodine. There is still more research occurring on the benefits of treating thyroid conditions with Vitamin A. 

Seven: Correct Vitamin B12 Deficiencies

Individuals with certain thyroid disorders have a higher risk of becoming deficient in Vitamin B12. 

Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anemia. While a mild deficiency might go unnoticed, if it goes untreated, you could experience a variety of symptoms. 

Some of these include: 

  • Pale skin
  • Heart palpitations
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness
  • Tiredness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Vision Loss
  • Nerve problems
  • Mental problems (for example, depression, behavioral changes, or memory loss) 
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Gas
  • A smooth tongue

Supplements that contain B12 can help to prevent and treat this type of deficiency.

Find the Right Supplement for You

Thyroid supplements can help with addressing various deficiencies you might experience. However, before starting supplements, you should always discuss them with your doctor. 

Are you ready to buy supplements that will help you? Patch MD sells supplement patches to fit your lifestyle. Start shopping with us today.