Your thyroid gland is located at the base of your neck, in front of your esophagus. The primary function of the thyroid gland is to secrete thyroid hormone that is responsible for the regulation of your body's temperature and management of your metabolism. In addition, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains that the thyroid gland helps balance the amount of calcium in your body. Vitamin E is an antioxidant nutrient that may have a beneficial effect on thyroid functioning and on a malfunctioning thyroid gland. Check with your doctor before using any dietary supplement.
The Role of Vitamin E in Your Body
Your body uses vitamin E to create red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients through your vascular system to organs and tissues. Vitamin E, according to the UMMC, helps neutralize free radical substances that can cause cellular damage that may lead to health problems and premature aging. Vitamin E may help relieve menstrual pain and decrease damage caused by high glucose levels characterized by diabetes. Finally, vitamin E helps protect your eyes from macular degeneration, which is the primary cause of blindness in Americans over age 55, says the UMMC.
Decreases Oxidative Stress Caused by Hypothyroidism
Vitamin E supplementation may help reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress in people with hypothyroidism. A 2005 study published in "Cell Biochemistry and Function" found that vitamin E supplementation reduced serum levels of the oxidant compounds paraoxonase and arylesterase. These substances are by-products of metabolism and are associated with the functioning of the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism, which is an impairment of the functioning of this gland, appears to increase the presence of oxidants, according to a 2003 study published in "Free Radical Biology and Medicine."
Protection Against the Effects of Excessive Iodine
Iodine administered to or consumed by people with hypothyroidism can lead to a condition called a goiter. This is characterized by a swelling of the thyroid gland and indicates iodine toxicity that occurs when the thyroid gland can't metabolize iodine efficiently. A 2011 study published in the "Journal of Endocrinology" found that goiter-induced rats experienced less damage from high iodine levels with vitamin E supplementation. This finding suggests that vitamin E has a protective effect in the presence of hypothyroidism.
Considerations
Because vitamin E is fat-soluble, it is stored in your body and can accumulate to toxic levels that can lead to impaired blood clotting, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. In addition, this effect can lead to an unwanted interaction with medications used to treat cardiac problems. Vitamin E is found naturally in foods such as vegetable oil, whole grain products and avocados, and the recommended daily intake of this nutrient for people over age 14 is 22.5 IU.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin E
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Thyroid Gland
- "Free Radical Biology and Medicine"; Effect of Thyroid State on Susceptibility to Oxidants and Swelling of Mitochondria From Rat Tissues; P. Venditti, et al.; 2003
- "Cell Biochemistry and Function"; Oxidative Stress and Serum Paraoxonase Activity in Experimental Hypothyroidism: Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation; E. Sarandol, et al.; 2005
- "Journal of Endocrinology"; Vitamin E Ameliorates Iodine-Induced Cytotoxicity in Thyroid; J. Yu, et al.; 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: Vitamin E
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