We all know that we should eat the right foods in order to obtain all the necessary vitamins and minerals to maintain good health. Lack of certain vitamins and minerals can cause thyroid deficiency and if you have thyroid deficiency, the vitamins you are taking in are unable to be processed properly.
Dr Ridha Arem in his book, “The Thyroid Solution – A Revolutionary Mind-Body Program for Regaining Your Emotional and Physical Health”, tells us that people with thyroid problems should make sure they get enough vitamins and minerals, either by eating plenty of the foods containing these vitamins or by supplements.
Many people now lead very busy lives and don’t have time to eat properly. Many young people miss meals altogether to lose weight without realising that this can cause problems for their thyroid gland. Even if you try and eat properly, by the time we purchase, prepare and cook everyday foods, most of the nutrients have disappeared and sometimes supplements are essential to maintain a healthy thyroid.
Lack of protein in a vegetarian or vegan diet can also cause problems for the thyroid. One thing doctors don’t tend to do now unless you go to an alternative therapist is check you for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. You might be surprised to find that you are deficient in quite a few of these especially vitamin D and vitamin B12. We are hearing more and more that people are suffering from pernicious anaemia . Make sure you are checked for these deficiencies next time you see your doctor.
Here is a list of vitamins and minerals that play a role in your thyroid health:
Vitamin A (not carotene)
Carotene is a precursor of vitamin A. An underactive thyroid gland cannot efficiently convert carotene to usable vitamin A so however many carrots etc. you eat, it won’t help. Vitamin A must also be accompanied by protein to make it available to the body, so if you are on a low protein diet, you may be deficient in this vitamin. If you are low on vitamin A, your ability to produce TSH is limited. This vitamin is required by the body to convert T4 to T3. If you find that lights are too bright or night driving is a problem, try taking vitamin A supplements along with more protein and see if it helps.
Vitamin B Complex
All the B vitamins are vital for good thyroid function but they all have a different role to play:
Bl (Thiamine)
This vitamin is drastically needed if you have an overactive thyroid.
B2 (Riboflavin)
The lack of vitamin B2 suppresses thyroid function in that the thyroid and adrenal glands fail to secrete their hormones.
B3 (Niacin)
This is needed to keep all the body’s cells (including the endocrine glands) in efficient working order.
B6 (Pyridoxine)
Without this vitamin, the thyroid cannot utilise its iodine raw material efficiently to make the hormones. Pyridoxine B6 is needed even more by an overactive thyroid. Muscle weakness is very common in people with an overactive thyroid and in those who are also lacking in B6.
B12
People with an underactive thyroid or people with no thyroid cannot absorb vitamin B12. A serious lack of B12 can cause mental illness, various neurological disorders, neuralgia, neuritis and bursitis. Some doctors believe the “normal range” of B12 is too low and that the normal range should be at least 500 – 1,300pg/ml (rather than 200 – 1,100).
Vitamin C
The thyroid gland needs vitamin C to keep it healthy. Long-standing deficiency causes the thyroid gland to secrete too much hormone. People with an overactive thyroid need extra vitamin C as this is actually drained from the tissues in their bodies.
Vitamin D
It has been found that when people with an overactive thyroid take vitamin D, it counteracts the usual rapid excretion of calcium and osteoporosis can be avoided.
Vitamin E
Lack of vitamin E encourages the thyroid gland to secrete too much hormone, as well as too little TSH by the pituitary gland . A higher intake of this vitamin is often needed by people with an overactive thyroid to counteract the large amounts of the vitamin depleted from the system.
Calcium
Many of us consume too little calcium in the form of dairy products. This is needed to combat bone loss, especially important in overactive people.
Magnesium
Magnesium is required for the conversion of T4 into T3 so this mineral should be supplemented. Some people may lose magnesium at a great rate through urination. Also, it seems that a diet high in refined food and caffeine will encourage magnesium loss.
Selenium
Selenium is a crucial component of the enzyme that converts T4 to T3 in the body. Without it, T3 cannot be produced in the right amounts, and organs will function as if they were hypothyroid even though blood test levels are normal.
Zinc
Research has shown that both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism result in zinc deficiency. It also plays a role in the functioning of the immune system . Low zinc levels have been found in obese people. Zinc is needed to convert T4 into T3, so this mineral is a must.
Dr Arem recommends that if you are overactive, you should take supplements even if your levels are high. If you are hypothyroid, he feels it is safer to start taking them when your levels are normal or close to normal. He informs us that if you take iron at the same time as thyroid hormone, it will bind with some of the thyroid hormone and block its absorption. Fibre and calcium carbonate if taken simultaneously with thyroid hormone, may also interfere with absorption of the hormone.
Where to get your supplements
15% off Revital Ltd
Use discount code 20030400. Thyroid UK will also receive 5% on all purchases
Email: info@revital.com
Website: www.revital.co.uk
Tel: 0800 252 875
10% off Your Nutrition Shop
Use discount code DSC1210 and mention Thyroid UK
Email: sales@yournutritionshop.com
Website: http://www.yournutritionshop.com/shopaff.asp?affid=9
Tel: 01494 775 693
10% off Cytoplan Ltd
Join Thyroid UK to get the discount code
Email: sales@cytoplan.co.uk
Website: www.cytoplan.co.uk
Tel: 01684 310 099
20% off G&G Vitamins
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Email: contact form
Website:www.gandgvitamins.com
Tel: 01342 312 811
For more support check out our online community:http://www.healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk
Date updated: 24/10/22 (V1.6)
Review date: 09/04/23
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