Living with an underactive thyroid? You're in good company: hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones, is surprisingly common. 2% of the UK population has the condition – around 1.39 million people – according to NICE, rising to more than 5% in people over 60.
If you're female, it's even more worthwhile keeping an eye on your thyroid health, because women are around five to ten times more likely to develop an underactive thyroid than men.
This can prove quite the headache; because many of the most common underactive thyroid symptoms; like fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, low mood, dry skin and thinning hair, can look very similar to those associated with perimenopause and menopause. So it's no surprise that around 5% of the UK may be living with hypothyroidism without realising it.
If your thyroid function is lower than it should be, treatment is usually with thyroid hormone replacement, such as levothyroxine. However, alongside your meds, getting enough of the right nutrients is also important for normal thyroid function. This is where making sure you're taking the right supplements comes in:
​Can supplements for an underactive thyroid actually help?
It's important to understand that supplements can't replace the thyroid hormones your body is no longer producing if you have hypothyroidism. However, that doesn't mean getting enough of the right nutrients isn't important. Especially the ones that play a role in normal thyroid function.
What's more, low thyroid function can often go hand- in-hand with nutritional deficiencies – particularly low iron, vitamin D and vitamin B12. These deficiencies can cause symptoms of their own, including tiredness, weakness and low energy, potentially leaving you feeling even more out of whack. Taking a supplement can also help you to target these deficiencies and get you back to your best.
As previously mentioned, common symptoms of an underactive thyroid can include persistent tiredness, feeling unusually cold, constipation, weight gain, brain fog, low mood, dry skin and changes to your hair. For more information about the symptoms to look out for, and how supplements for an underactive thyroid can be taken alongside prescribed thyroid medication, take a look at our previous blog, Thyroid Medication vs Supplements: Can They Work Together?
Want to know which supplements for an underactive thyroid are worth paying attention to? Here's what we recommend:
​1. Selenium: one of the most researched supplements for an underactive thyroid:
Your thyroid needs selenium to function properly because it's essential for the enzymes involved in thyroid hormone metabolism, including the conversion of thyroxine (T4) into the more active thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3).
Selenium is particularly intersting if you’re living with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that is the underlying cause in 9 in 10 cases of hypothyroidism according to the British Thyroid Foundation. Studies show selenium supplementation in people with Hashimoto’s was associated with lower TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone, high levels mean sub par thyroid function) in people not taking thyroid hormone, as well as lower thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) levels, suggesting topping up your selenium could help to boost your thyroid function.
Our T-Synergy Thyroid patch should be top of your list of vitamins for an underactive thyroid; it contains a targeted daily dose of selenium, making it a great option if you want to top up your selenium intake without a high-dose supplement. Particularly useful if your diet already includes selenium-rich foods such as fish, eggs and meat, as consuming excessive amounts of selenium over time can be bad for you.
​2. Vitamin D:
Best known for keeping bones, teeth and muscles healthy, Vitamin D also contributes to the normal function of the immune system, which makes it well worth considering if you’re underactive thyroid is down to Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Hashimoto's is an autoimmune condition, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Research has found low vitamin D levels often go hand-in-hand with autoimmune thyroid disease, with some studies suggesting that people with Hashimoto's are more likely to have low vitamin D levels.
Topping up your vitamin D could help you to combat this. Plus – Vitamin D deficiency can cause symptoms of its own, including muscle weakness and bone pain, potentially adding yet more symptoms that will make you feel rubbish when you're alread tired and below par.
Our D3/K2 patch is an easy way to boost your levels all year around, as even during the summer months, our ability to make enough vitamin D from sunlight isn't guaranteed; it depends on factors including how much skin is exposed, the time of day, where you live and your skin type.
What's more, our skin becomes less efficient at producing vitamin D as we get older, not what you need when the risk of thyroid problems also increases with age!
​3. Iron:
Iron is essential for normal thyroid function; making it another of your must-have minerals and vitamins for an underactive thyroid. You need it for the synthesis of thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme involved in producing thyroid hormones. Low iron can also cause tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath and difficulty concentrating – symptoms that can easily overlap with hypothyroidism.
It's especially worth considering if you’re a woman with heavy periods, which can increase the risk of iron deficiency and guess what? Are also a possible symptom of an underactive thyroid!
Our Iron Plus patch is particularly handy if you have had your underactive thyroid diagnosed and are taking levothyroxine. Oral iron supplements can interfere with levothyroxine absorption, so take them separately, at least two hours afterwards. Iron patches deliver the active ingredient through the skin rather than the gut, so they don't come into direct contact with your thyroid medication in the digestive system. Allowing you to pop a patch on when it's convenient, rather than worrying about interactions.
​4. Vitamin B12: the must-have vitamin for underactive thyroid if you're on thyroid meds and still exhausted
Vitamin B12 is one of the supplements for underactive thyroid worth trying, particularly if you're on thryoid replacement medication but still struggling with things like fatigue, brain fog and low energy.
Deficiency in B12 can cause many of the same symptoms as hypothyroidism, including extreme tiredness, weakness, difficulty concentrating and low mood. So, if your thyroid levels are well managed but you still feel wiped out, consider whether something else might be contributing.
There's also an interesting link between B12 and autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto's. Autoimmune conditions can sometimes occur alongside one another, and people with autoimmune thyroid disease may be more likely to develop pernicious anaemia, an autoimmune condition that affects the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12. One study found low B12 levels in 28% of people with autoimmune thyroid disease, while other research found that people with hypothyroidism had lower much B12 levels.
Our B12 Plus patch is a super effective way to top up and unlike a large oral dose, which has to pass through the digestive system and can only be absorbed in limited amounts at a time, the patch drip feeds a steady supply throughout the 8 hours you wear it. This avoids the pitfall where you end up pee-ing out most of the active ingreient, because vitamin B12 is water-soluble, so your body doesn't store unlimited amounts and the excess that isn't needed can be excreted – noooo!
​5. Zinc:
Zinc might be a trace mineral, but it's also another supplement for an underactive thyroid definitely worth considering. It's a must for normal function of the immune system and research suggests zinc is also involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and the conversion of T4 into the active hormone T3. Which may help explain why low zinc levels have been associated with changes in thyroid function. With one study showing a zinc supplement improved thyroid hormone levels in women who were deficient.
As with selenium, more isn't necessarily better and if you're already getting enough zinc from your diet, taking large doses is unlikely to give your thyroid an extra boost. Plus – too much zinc over time can interfere with the absorption of other minerals. The Vitamin C + Zinc patch contains the ideal daily dose zinc, combined with vitamin C – another vital nutrient for immune function. Making this a great choice if your hypothyroidsm is autoimmune.
​6. Magnesium:
Magnesium is involved in over 300 processes in the body and contributes to everything from normal muscle and nervous system function, to energy metabolism, and a reduction in tiredness and fatigue. These are all areas that can feel compromised when you're dealing with common underactive thyroid symptoms like persistent tiredness, low energy and muscle aches.
Some research has also found that magnesium levels may be lower in people with thyroid disorders, making magnesium a sensible additiion to your list of supplements for an underactive thyroid.
The Tri Mag Complex is a great way to top up your magnesium intake and combines three of the most bioavailable types of magnesium: threonate, malate and glycinate in one easy to use patch. Thyroid issues can also trigger anxiety and sleep issues, so if this is you, you might prefer to try the MagnaCalm patch, which offers magnesium alongside ashwagandha, DHH-B, L-theanine and lemon balm – all must-haves for supporting your body's response to stress, and promoting a sense of calm – aaaand relax!
