Vitamin D is important to maintaining calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. Questions have been raised as to whether it may also be helpful in protecting against other conditions, including thyroid disease. While vitamin D has been directly linked to one form of thyroid disease, a correlation between vitamin D intake and hypothyroid has yet to be confirmed, so discuss the details with your physician before taking this supplement for an underactive thyroid.
About Vitamin D
You obtain vitamin D by standing out in the sun as well as through supplements or food sources. It can be found in eggs, fish and added to fortified milk. It's an important vitamin as the body uses it to absorb calcium, a necessary mineral that keeps bones strong. For this reason, vitamin D is thought to protect from osteoporosis, a disease that can make bones brittle.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is a condition in which the thyroid gland is not producing enough of the thyroid hormone. It effects women more often than men. The treatment for a hypothyroid is to take a synthetic thyroid hormone daily and maintain a proper level through the medication. Since the thyroid gland regulates the many aspects of the body's metabolism, leaving this disease untreated can cause many problems, from fatigue to muscle and joint pain.
Connection
A number of studies have been conducted to see if vitamin D could help control hypothyroidism. In 2008, the "Archives Francaises de Pediatrie" reported that some newborns with an underactive thyroid were also deficient in vitamin D. The study concluded that giving vitamin D to these kids might be beneficial to helping to regulate thyroid hormones. That same year, a UCLA research team conducted a trial on two groups of mice, showing similar results; however, conclusive results for adult humans on the use of vitamin D for hypothyroid have not been published.
Considerations
MayoClinic.com reports that the use of vitamin D has been shown as an approved treatment only for hyperparathyroidism in early stages. If you have hypothyroidism, you should never substitute vitamin D supplements for your thyroid medication. Any changes to your medication should be made exclusively by a doctor. Hypothyroidism can cause serious problems, including heart disease, if not treated properly. If you would like to try vitamin D for your hypothyroid, discuss it with your health care professional.
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