Your thyroid is a small gland at the front of your neck. It produces two primary hormones that control your metabolism. Too little stimulation leads to an underactive thyroid. Conversely your thyroid produces too much hormone when it is overstimulated. (Reference 1) Certain herbs and vitamins have the capacity to stimulate thyroid function, but do not take any without first consulting your doctor.
Thyroid Function
Your hormones rely on a very delicate communication feedback system to remain balanced. This is called your endocrine system. Too much or too little thyroid hormone can have adverse health effects. Your thyroid produces thyroxine and triiodothyronine, two main hormones. These hormones control the rate at which your body uses energy. Hypothyroidism causes your thyroid to produce too little hormone. When your thyroid produces too much hormone, it is called hyperthyroidism. (Reference 1)
Bladderwrack
Seaweeds are sea plants that inhabit the oceans. Bladderwrack is a medicinal seaweed commonly used in herbal medicine to stimulate thyroid function if you have an underactive thyroid, according to Medline Plus. It is also used for a wide variety of other conditions including constipation, digestive disorders and arthritis. Bladderwrack stimulates your thyroid partly because it is iodine-rich. Your thyroid uses iodine as one of the two primary nutrients to make thyroid hormones. Talk to your doctor before using bladderwrack to stimulate your thyroid. (Reference 2)
B-12
Vitamin B-12, also known as cobalamin is part of a group of vitamins known as B complex. It helps your body make and use thyroid hormones. In fact, low B-12 levels are common if you have an underactive thyroid. B-12 deficiency is prevalent in 40 percent of patients with underactive thyroid, according to a study published in the May, 2008 issue of "The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association." In the study, conducted by the Department of Medicine at Aga Khan University in Pakistan, B-12 supplementation lead to improvement. Do not take B-12 supplements for thyroid issues without your doctor's consent. (Reference 3)
Tyrosine
Though tyrosine is not a vitamin or herb, it is an important nutrient that stimulates thyroid production. Your thyroid uses tyrosine as the second primary nutrient, along with iodine, in order to manufacture thyroid hormones. It is an amino acid, which is a protein building block. Your body makes tyrosine from another amino acid called phenylalanine. You can also get it from protein-rich foods. Tyrosine supplements are available and commonly marketed for thyroid and stress support. Do not take tyrosine without speaking to your doctor. (Reference 4)
References
- University of Cincinati: Endocrine System; J.S Carter; November 2004
- Medline Plus: Bladderwrack
- "The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association"; Vitamin B-12 Deficiency Common in Primary Hypothyroidism; A. Jabbar et al.; May 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Tyrosine; David Zieve; July 2010
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