Your thyroid is a 2-inch gland located at the front of your neck, below your voice box. This small gland has a big role: regulating metabolism and maintaining your body's calcium balance. Zinc is a vital mineral, important in thyroid hormone production. Typically, those with hyperthyroidism have high levels of serum zinc levels, while low zinc is correlated with hypothyroidism.
Thyroid
Your thyroid's follicular cells secrete triiodothyronine, T3, and thyroxine, T4, hormones. These two hormones stimulate every cell in your body, producing protein and promoting oxygen use in your cells. Your pituitary gland secretes a thyroid-stimulating hormone that controls how much hormone your thyroid then sends out. Too much thyroid hormone results in an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroid, while too little results in an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroid.
Zinc
Zinc is an important trace mineral, the second only to iron in your body. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that zinc helps to heal wounds, supports your immune system, plays a role in reproduction, blood clotting, vision, growth and smell. Zinc also supports proper insulin and thyroid functioning. Zinc deficiency has numerous symptoms such as depression, loss of appetite, weight loss, white marks on fingernails and poor wound healing.
Thyroid Production and Zinc
The April 2009 journal, "Clinical Nutrition," indicates that zinc is involved in many basic, biochemical reactions in your thyroid. Zinc is necessary in the process of turning inactive T4 hormone into T3 in your body. Too many inactive T4 hormones results in an underactive thyroid. The TRH hypothalamus hormone, which stimulates pituitary gland, also requires zinc, which in turn signals your thyroid to secrete the thyroid hormone. According to a review of the top supplements for thyroid support by Dr. Richard Shames and registered nurse Karilee Shames at ThyroidInfo.com, zinc also helps the thyroid nuclear receptors at the intracellular level, supporting the action and reading of your DNA genetic code.
Zinc and Copper
An excess of zinc in your body may result in copper deficiency, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your body requires copper to stimulate the production of T4 hormone and to prevent over-absorption of T4 into the bloodstream. Supplementing with zinc and copper are supporting treatments for thyroid disorders. A study published in the April 2009 edition of the journal "Clinical Nutrition," reports an improvement in zinc serum and thyroid levels after six months. Do not attempt to supplement with zinc on your own; consult with your doctor regarding the use of zinc and copper.
References
- ThyroidInfo.com; The Top Five Supplements for Thyroid Support; Richard Shames, M.D. & Karilee Shames, Ph.D., R.N.; 2003
- iThyroid.com: Zinc
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Endocrinology Health Guide: The Thyroid Gland
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Zinc; Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D.
- "Clinical Nutrition"; Effect of Zinc Supplementation on the Zinc Level in Serum and Urine and Their Relation to Thyroid Hormone Profile in Male and Female Goitrous Patients; Ghulam Abbas Kandhro, et al.; April 2009
- MayoClinic.com: Zinc Evidence
