Thyroid disease affects millions of Americans. It generally manifests as an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism; or an underactive thyroid, called hypothyroidism. Each form of the disease has a unique group of symptoms related to the functioning of this small gland, which is located above the collarbone. Women, according to Medline Plus, are more likely than men to develop thyroid problems, and treatment approaches include thyroid replacement hormones, surgical removal or radiological destruction of the gland. Vitamins can affect or be affected by the functioning of the thyroid gland, but check with your physician before using any dietary supplement.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, which your body synthesizes from exposure to sunlight, is essential for the absorption of the mineral calcium. Dr. Theodore C. Friedman of Good Hormone Health explains that people who have hypothyroidism tend to also have low levels of vitamin D. This increases your risk of developing weakness in bone structure that can lead to osteoporosis. He explains that in order to address this deficiency, additional exposure to sunlight or consuming foods that contain vitamin D, such as fortified milk or cereal, is recommended.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Hyperthyroidism, which causes an overproduction of thyroid hormone in your body, can lead to weight loss despite an increased appetite. As a result, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, you may also experience nutritional deficiencies including that of omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fats play an important role in maintaining your immune system and reducing inflammation. In addition, Natural Life Chiropractic explains that omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the flexibility of cell membranes that allows thyroid hormone molecules to attach to site receptors. In contrast, hydrogenated fats can decrease the flexibility and permeability of cell membranes, blocking the attachment of thyroid hormone molecules.
Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral that is necessary for the production of antioxidants in your body. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health explains that a deficiency of selenium can make impaired thyroid functioning even worse. Selenium supplementation, they add, may also have a protective effect against goiter, a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes enlarged, usually due to a lack of iodine. Selenium facilitates the effect of iodine in the body and iodine deficiency is associated with selenium deficiency.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is known for its antioxidant and immune system boosting effects, but this vitamin also plays a role in the health of individuals with thyroid problems. A 2008 article published in "BMC Endocrine Disorders" found that people with thyroid problems such as benign thyroid disease also had lower levels of vitamin C than people without thyroid problems. In addition, Natural Life Chiropractic explains that chronic stress, which causes chronically high levels of the hormone cortisol, can impair the functioning of the immune system and thyroid gland. Vitamin C's role in immunity may help to decrease this effect.
References
- Medline Plus: Thyroid Disease
- Good Hormone Health; Vitamin D Deficiency and Thyroid Disease; Theodore C. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D.
- Natural Life Chiropractic: The Thyroid
- National Institutes of Health: Selenium
- "BMC Endocrine Disorders"; The Role of Selenium, Vitamin C, and Zinc in Benign Thyroid Diseases and of Selenium in Malignant Thyroid Diseases: Low Selenium Levels are Found in Subacute and Silent Thyroiditis and in Papillary and Follicular Carcinoma.; Roy Moncayo, et al.; 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hyperthyroidism
