Are you worried you might need thyroid medication? You’re not alone. Thyroid problems are far more common than most people realise, especially if you're a woman – who are estimated to be 5 to 10 times more likely than men to develop a thyroid condition. In the UK, hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) affects roughly 2 in every 100 people; and many don’t even know they have it.
Probably because thyroid symptoms can be frustratingly vague. Feeling tired, run down, struggling with weight, low mood, brain fog… can all just be signs you've got a lot on your plate – something most women will relate to. It’s even harder to spot during times of hormonal change like menopause, pregnancy, or puberty, when annoyingly, thyroid issues are most likely to occur. Your body already feels unpredictable, so you blame your hormones and overlook your thyroid.
Even once you've established you DO have a thyroid problem, will medication such as levothyroxine (a synthetic version of a hormone your body naturally produces) definitely get you back to your old self? Or could supplements help support your thyroid too? And do you have to pick one approach, or can thyroid medication and supplements work together?
This blog aims to answer all these questions – plus how to recognise when your thyroid might need support in the first place:
What are the symptoms you might need thyroid medication:
If you’re constantly knackered, your mood is flat, or you're putting on weight no matter how much you exercise, it could definitely be your thyroid. A small butterfly shaped gland at the front of your neck that plays a huge role in everything from a healthy metabolism, to energy regulation, temperature control, mood, digestion, fertility and so much more (for more on what your thyroid does check out this handy page on Thyroid UK).
Here are some other red flags to look out for that could mean you might need thyroid medication:
- Persistent fatigue and low energy that a full night's sleep doesn't shift
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Feeling cold (hypothyroid) or hot (hyperthyroid) all the time
- Constipation, bloating or slow digestion
- Dry skin, hair thinning or brittle nails.
- Mood changes: depression, anxiety, brain fog.
- Irregular menstrual cycles or fertility issues in women.
- Swelling at the base of your throat
If in doubt, ask your GP to run a full thyroid blood test that covers your TSH, T3 and T4 levels. Top tip – also ask for thyroid antibodies to be measured – if you have these, it's a sign you might have an autoimmune disease such as Hashimotos – the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
Isn't taking thyroxine enough?
If you're diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, thyroid medication levothyroxine (known as T4) is the standard treatment. However, some people who take it continue to experience symptoms. This can be because T4 has to be converted into the active hormone T3 in your body, and not everyone does this well.
There’s also the option of natural desiccated thyroid (from animal thyroid glands), which contains both T4 and T3, but hormone ratios can vary from batch to batch and info on long-term safety and effectiveness is limited. This means there aren't many Drs who will prescribe it and you don’t want to end up under or over medicating – or you could feel just as bad.
This is why some people turn to thyroid supporting supplements. They don’t replace hormone medication if you need it, but they can play an important role in thyroid function and help your thyroid work as well as it can.
Why take supplements in addition to thyroid medication?
Research suggests that rising thyroid problems (rates rose by almost a million in the UK between 2005 and 2015) may be linked to nutrient deficiencies, especially thyroid-supporting goodies like iodine, selenium, zinc and vitamin D. Soil depletion, reduced consumption of iodised salt, lower dairy intake, and following a vegan or veggie diet can all mean you're not getting enough key minerals and contribute to suboptimal thyroid function – even if blood tests aren’t flagging a major deficiency in any of these thyroid must-haves.
Making sure you're providing your immune system and the areas of the body in charge of thyroid hormone regulation with the nutrients they need is a crucial part of thyroid health. So if you're concerned about yours, supplementing is a great start. It's also worth considering if you have a family history of thyroid problems because they tend to be hereditary and taking the right supplements could help protect your thyroid function.
What are the best supplements to support thyroid function?
Put Iodine at the top of your list, your thyroid can’t make hormones without it! Most people's diets don't contain enough and low iodine levels are a well-recognised cause of sluggish thyroid function, which could make you consider thyroid medication.
Selenium is another must-have because you need it to help convert T4 into T3 (the active thyroid hormone your cells actually use) and protect your thyroid gland. Zinc is essential to keep thyroid hormone activity stable and also supports your immune system – sensible considering how many thyroid issues are autoimmune.
It's also worth topping up your vitamin B12. While it doesn't influence thyroid hormones, low B12 levels often go hand-in hand with hypothyroidism and can exacerbate symptoms like fatigue, poor concentration, and low mood. We'd also recommend L-Tyrosine, an amino acid used to produce thyroid hormones. Plus ashwagandha, an adaptogen that studies have shown could have a regulatory effect on thyroid signalling.
The simplest way to top up these thyroid boosters is the T-Synergy Thyroid Support Patch, which contains most nutrients in one super duper, easy-to-use patch. To cover all bases, also pop on the Vitamin D3 patch and Vitamin C and Zinc patch – everything you need for comprehensive thyroid support.
Can you take supplements alongside thyroid medication?
The short answer is, yes! Just pay attention to timing. Some nutrients (especially iron and calcium) can interfere with how well your body absorbs thyroxine, so it's worth leaving a 2-3 hour gap between taking your levothyroxine (most people take it when they wake up) and supplements. As our patches totally bypass the gut, they are a lot less likely to interfere with absorption than oral supplements.
Because thyroxine is only available in tablet form, absorption can be a challenge for people with digestive issues (read Why Your Oral Supplements May Not Be Effective here.) If this is you, supplementation may help support your thyroid health alongside any prescribed thyroid medication you're taking.