6 Nutrients Crucial for Thyroid Health

Our bodies turn selenium into the powerful antioxidant glutathione, which protects thyroid from inflammation.
Has been shown to reduce TPO antibodies.
Critical in conversion of T4 to T3.
Decreases risk of developing postpartum thyroiditis in women who are positive for TPO antibodies.
Dietary Sources: Brazil nuts (2 per day), eggs, mushrooms, lamb, turkey, chicken, cod, halibut.
Dose: Up to 200 mcg per day, do not exceed.

Has been shown to reduce excessive levels of thyroid hormones, especially TPO antibodies, when combined with selenium after 6 months.
Has also been shown to enhance quality of life (it’s also a great supplement for sleep!).
Dose: 600 mg per day.

Iron deficiency tells the body to conserve energy, leading to decreased production of thyroid hormone, so adequate levels are important.
TIPS: Supplement with iron chelate (non-constipating form) and take with 500 mg of Vitamin C to increase absorption. Do not take with PPI's, and take 4 hours apart from thyroid medication.
Dietary Sources: red meat, dark meat poultry, leafy greens, red beans.
Dose: 30-60 mg iron chelate per day.

Zinc: Crucial for conversion of T4 to T3. Zinc deficiency can result in decreased thyroid hormone levels and resting metabolic rate.
TIP: take with meals to prevent nausea.
Dose: 30 mg per day.

This one is tricky and controversial! Long story short, there is a narrow therapeutic window - too much or too little can cause thyroid dysfunction, so work with your doctor to figure out the sweet spot.
Iodine is necessary for formation of thyroid hormone and also plays a protective role for TPO against antibodies.
Dietary Sources: Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, mussels, cod, salmon, sardines, seaweed but be careful of heavy metals / toxins
Dose: 150 mcg per day (250-325 mcg per day in pregnancy, as it is a crucial nutrient for baby's development).
- 500 mcg or higher, in addition to diet, appears to have a slight suppressive effect on thyroid function in otherwise healthy people; also appears to be capable of suppressing T4.
- Pregnancy: developing baby's brain and thyroid require iodine, so even if mom is a little bit reactive to iodine, as long as her thyroid hormone labs are within the normal range, she should supplement at 250-325 mcg per day.

If you have deficient or toxic levels of any of these nutrients, consider dietary sources as something to either ramp up (if you’re deficient) or pare back (if levels are too high).
When dosing, make sure to cross reference all of your supplements to ensure you are getting the proper dose and not too much. For example, if your multivitamin already has selenium, iron, zinc, and/or vitamin D in it, take this into consideration when choosing how much more, if any, you need to supplement.

Excess Estrogen