Last modified on April 26th, 2024
Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland becomes underactive and fails to produce hormones correctly.
The thyroid gland is a critical organ that affects the growth and development of tissues and systems in the body, as well as helps regulate the body’s metabolism.
It’s a small organ that has a profound effect on the good health of the body. Without the proper functioning of the thyroid, a person suffers many unpleasant, even dangerous symptoms.
What are glands?
Glands are organs that produce, store, and excrete vital substances required by the body. Endocrine glands have no ducts and produce complex chemicals called hormones that are delivered directly into the bloodstream.
Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers that shape how tissues and organs work and are so potent only tiny amounts are necessary.
During puberty, hormones transform people from children into sexually mature young adults. Daily hormones determine how our metabolism functions, keeping it on an even keel.
Hormones control our sexual development, affect our mood, and help us get energy from our food. They’re very powerful and work in minute amounts. Just a tiny variation in how much of any one hormone is being produced in the body can lead to serious health problems.
What does the thyroid gland do?
The thyroid gland is attached to your windpipe, sitting low on the neck. It uses iodine in the bloodstream to make triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), vital hormones that regulate your metabolism. T3 and T4 must stay in balance, neither too high nor too low.
The amounts of T3 and T4 released are controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, located in the brain.
These glands control the thyroid with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). T3 and T4 control how fast the cells of the body work. For just one example, T3 and T4 regular how fast your heart beats and how fast you digest food.
Disturbances in thyroid hormones can harm:
- blood pressure
- metabolism
- menstrual cycles
- heart rate
- weight
- cholesterol levels
- proper functioning of the central nervous system
How do I know if my thyroid isn’t working correctly?
Diagnosing a thyroid problem can be tricky and requires a doctor to do so accurately. A thyroid imbalance may take years to form or can happen rapidly. Symptoms may differ from person to person, but usually include:
- fatigue
- weight gain
- unusual sensitivity to cold
- constipation
- dry skin
- weakness in the muscles
- puffy face
- swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints (not caused by arthritis)
- sluggish metabolism
- high blood cholesterol
- irregular menstrual periods
- muscle aches
- depression
- impaired memory
- problems concentrating
- goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
Treating Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Tests have become sophisticated and can determine even tiny variations in the production of thyroid hormones.
A combination of tests can usually pinpoint exactly what’s causing problems with thyroid hormones.
Conventional treatment of hypothyroidism involves the synthetic hormone levothyroxine. However, it’s possible to supplement your diet for the best thyroid health, to help your general well-being.
The best supplements for hypothyroidism treat the underlying causes of an underactive thyroid. These include:
Iodine. Iodine is absolutely essential for the thyroid’s proper functioning. However, with iodine, more is definitely not better. Too much iodine can cause hypothyroidism as readily as too little. The minimum daily intake is 150 micrograms a day for adults. It’s important to speak with a doctor before adding iodine supplements to your diet. It’s an essential and powerful supplement, and too much of it can lead to hypothyroidism and disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
The best iodine mineral supplement for thyroid support on Amazon is 1 Body Thyroid Support. Each serving contains:
- 150 micrograms (mcg) of iodine
- 100 mcg of vitamin B12
- 8 milligrams (mg) of zinc
- 200 mg of selenium
- Complex includes all-natural Ashwagandha root, magnesium, bladderwrack, molybdenum, cayenne pepper, and Schisandra
- non-GMO & vegetarian friendly
Selenium. Selenium, a micronutrient, helps the thyroid to work efficiently. It’s a trace element that’s found in some nuts, fish, yeast, and cereals. Selenium is essential for the thyroid’s ability to convert T4 into T3.
This allows it to regulate a person’s metabolism. 100 to 200 micrograms is the recommended daily allowance of selenium. Selenium levels drop when a person smokes\, consumes large amounts of eggs or drinks alcohol. The most absorbable forms of selenium are selenomethionine and selenocystein.
A highly rated selenium supplement found on Amazon is:
Bronson Laboratories Selenium Supplement
It supplies 200 micrograms of selenium per serving. It’s crucial not to take too much selenium, as high doses can be toxic.
Vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels are strongly associated with hypothyroidism, although the exact mechanisms aren’t fully understood yet.
Aptly called “the sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D can be synthesized by the body when exposed to sunlight, but it’s hard to get enough vitamin D from one’s diet and exposure to sunlight alone to prevent low thyroid levels.
Studies have shown that Vitamin D is one of the best supplements for hypothyroidism you can take.
Consider this highly rated vitamin D supplement.
NatureWise Vitamin D3 offers:
- Highly potent vitamin D in its most active form, D3. Naturewise uses certified organic olive oil as the carrier oil for these supplements, packaged on easy to swallow softgels
- Contains 5,000 IU vitamin D3
- Powerful vitamin D3 without potentially dangerous overexposure to the sun
- Tested for purity.
Vitamin B. The B vitamins are essential for many metabolic processes, not the least of which is good thyroid functioning.
Low levels of vitamin B12 are, like vitamin D, associated with primary hyperthyroidism. For hypothyroidism, a complete B spectrum complex is essential.
A vitamin B complex should include:
- B1 (thiamine)
- B2 (riboflavin)
- B3 (niacin)
- B5 (pantothenic acid)
- B6 (pyridoxine)
- B7 (biotin)
- B9 (folic acid)
- B12 (cobalamin)
The B vitamins are required for the production of new blood cells, healthy nerve tissue, and the regular working of hormone-making cells in the thyroid.
Find one of Amazon’s best full-spectrum complete vitamin B complexes here.
Divine Bounty Vitamin B Complex offers:
- B1 (thiamine)
- B2 (riboflavin)
- B3 (niacin)
- B5 (pantothenic acid)
- B6 (pyridoxine)
- B7 (biotin)
- B9 (folic acid)
- B12 (cobalamin)
- All B vitamins in on convenient capsule
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