What supplements should I take to support hypothyroidism ?

[Nicky24]

I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism recently and I'm on Levothyroxine.

I'm not sure if I'm deficient in any vitamins / minerals as I've not been tested. Are there any supplements I should be taking to support my thyroid?

Thanks

[nostoneunturned]

It would be useful to know what the results of any blood tests are and how much levothryoxine you take and how long you have been taking it for. Not that your Gp is not to be trusted, but some docs just do not know how to start off.

Exercise aids the thyroid. Walk when you can.

Ask to be tested for B12, (500 at minimum); folate, around 10-12; ferritin around 90; Vit D at 125-175nmol/L or 50-70ng/ml. Not enough to be in range, better if levels quoted are achieved. Don;t self medicate with Vit D as calcium should be monitored when taking it.

Selenium (aids the conversion of T4 to T3) 200mcg daily is fine. Vitamin C, 1000mg daily, is useful to support the adrenals which can be stressed by hypothyroidism. Vitamin E, preferably not derived from soya, is useful.

Avoid any general vitamin/mineral pills which list iodine in ingredients. You will be fine with iodine from foods and sea salt, these are in a balanced form your body can accept and metabolise but artificially iodised salt, kelp and iodine in supplements are problematic as the first is just bad news, the second delivers just too much iodine I understand, and the third is also not recommended.

There is info on the main Thyroid UK site about what to avoid, such as fluoride in water and toothpaste; foods that are goitrogenic and so work against the thyroid if eaten to excess; soya products such as soya milk, soya in many vegetarian foods. Explore thyroiduk.org

lot of info there.

[Xanthe in reply to nostoneunturned]

Hi Nostone,

Really useful information - thanks for posting it. What's does taking vit D do to your Calcium levels?

Xanthe

[nostoneunturned in reply to Xanthe]

Hi Xanthe

Vit D is really a misnomer as it is a hormone, it aids in the absorption of calcium. It is better to be prescribed Vit D then the GP will monitor both Vit D levels and calcium to ensure appropriate levels as an excess of either is not good.

[Xanthe in reply to nostoneunturned]

Thanks - I check my vit D from time to time, but not the Calcium - which I will do now.

Xanthe

[Hidden]

Remember that when you get tested, to INSIST on a copy of the test. NHS Gps will tell you your results are 'normal' when they may not be.

[Xanthe in reply to Hidden]

My GP practice has now got used to me asking for print-outs and numerical values - it's taken a while but well worth it!

xanthe