The 9 Best Supplements for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

The Best Supplements for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (Support Immune & Thyroid Function)

As someone with Hashimoto’s, I probably don’t need to tell you how hard it can be trying to feel better. 

Whether you are stuck in the “sit-and-wait” model or whether you are struggling to find your dose of thyroid medication, you have probably asked yourself many times if there is a better way.

And, while there is no “easy” path to feeling better, there are definitely other avenues and paths that you can take that CAN help you feel better.

One of those is the use of supplements. 

If this is the first time you’ve heard that supplements can help treat Hashimoto’s then let me reiterate: 

Over-the-counter supplements have the potential to help people with Hashimoto’s feel better and manage their thyroid symptoms. 

How do I know?

Well, not only do I have personal experience but I’ve also created 20+ thyroid supplements that have been used by over 65,000 thyroid patients to date. 

I have seen many times that supplements, along with other therapies such as dietary changes, stress reduction, weight loss, and thyroid medications, can help put Hashimoto’s into remission in some people. 

It’s certainly not a guaranteed thing but supplements are both safe and have the potential to be effective so they are worth considering for anyone who has Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

The key to feeling better with the use of supplements is to use the right ones. 

What you will learn today:

  • How supplements impact Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and how they are working inside of your body
  • Why most patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis should consider using supplements
  • Which supplements actually move the needle and help you feel better if you have Hashimoto’s
  • More information on iodine and Hashimoto’s (and why it’s safer than you think)
  • And much more

Let’s jump in: 

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How Supplements Work in Patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

One of the biggest mistakes that I see people with Hashimoto’s make is that they assume that Hashimoto’s is purely a thyroid condition. 

While it is true that Hashimoto’s definitely impacts thyroid function it is not JUST a thyroid condition. 

Hashimoto’s is first and foremost an immune condition (1)!

In fact, it is your immune system that triggers all of the damage in your thyroid gland that results in the symptoms of low thyroid. 

It works like this:

Something triggers your immune system (this usually stems from your gut (2)) which then causes your immune system to produce antibodies that look like enzymes found inside of your thyroid gland. 

These enzymes float around and damage your thyroid gland which results in low thyroid function and the symptoms that you are all too familiar with. 

Symptoms like weight gain, hair loss, constipation, cold intolerance, muscle aches, depression, and more. 

Why is this important?

Because if you can calm down the immune system then you can STOP the damage from occurring to your thyroid gland!

This means that focusing on your immune system is a top priority if you have Hashimoto’s disease. 

It also means that some of your supplements should be directed at cooling down inflammation as well as balancing your immune system. 

These supplements may be more important than just focusing solely on supplements that target and support thyroid function. 

When you think about using supplements to treat Hashimoto’s, you want your supplements to do 3 things:

  • Help to balance or regulate your immune system
  • Help reduce inflammation
  • Help support thyroid function

Targeting these areas will not only help you FEEL better they may help target the underlying cause of Hashimoto’s which may help put you into remission. 

The Supplements Every Patient with Hashimoto’s Should Consider Using

Many people often think that they need a series of blood tests to determine which supplements they need. 

Let me be the first to tell you that this isn’t always true and here’s why:

Many of the blood tests that we use to check for nutrient deficiencies do a good job of telling us how much of that nutrient is in the blood but they do a poor job of telling us how much of that nutrient is being USED by the body. 

And there is a big difference. 

We don’t really care if a nutrient is floating around in our bodies if it isn’t doing its job. 

a list of 8 supplements to treat hashimoto's thyroiditis

Unfortunately, many of the tests that we have for nutrients fall into this category. 

They simply aren’t as helpful as you might think. 

While this may sound like bad news, it’s actually good news in disguise. 

Why?

Because this means that you can use many of these supplements without the need to check your blood levels. 

It also gives you more control as a patient with Hashimoto’s to do some testing to figure out what works best for your body. 

As we go through these supplements, I will let you know if blood tests are accurate and other helpful information which will inform you as to whether or not you should consider using one particular nutrient over another. 

With this in mind, let’s jump into the list of the best supplements for Hashimoto’s:

#1. Zinc

Zinc is up there in terms of one of the most important nutrients that people with Hashimoto’s can benefit from. 

And the reason is simple:

Zinc plays a role in regulating the immune system as well as thyroid function. 

In addition, we know that many patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are deficient in zinc (meaning they do not have enough). 

When you put these together, it means that optimizing your zinc is a no-brainer if you have Hashimoto’s. 

But let’s focus on the benefits of zinc just for a minute before we talk about supplementing with zinc. 

Zinc is particularly beneficial for those with Hashimoto’s for 4 big reasons:

  • The first is that zinc is required for something called T4 to T3 conversion. T4 to T3 conversion is the process by which your body activates thyroid hormone and turns it into a usable form. If you don’t have enough zinc then you may experience low T3 levels which will result in low thyroid symptoms. 
  • The second is that zinc can help reduce inflammation (3) and may act as an anti-inflammatory agent all by itself. As someone with Hashimoto’s, you should pay close attention to inflammation in your body because it has the potential to hurt how well your body utilizes thyroid hormone. 
  • The third is that zinc is also required for the proper regulation of your immune system (4). In fact, in the setting of low zinc, your immune system has a hard time fighting off even mild infections. This is one of the reasons that many people recommend taking zinc when you are sick! If you find that you are getting sick frequently then that may be an early warning sign you aren’t getting enough zinc. 
  • And fourth is that zinc is also necessary for hair growth. This doesn’t have to do specifically with Hashimoto’s but it’s an added bonus because many people with Hashimoto’s also have issues with hair loss!

But before you run out and supplement, you need to first consider the various types of zinc available as well as the dose. 

Not all formulations of zinc are equally effective because they are not all equally absorbed.

For people with Hashimoto’s, you will want to look for zinc as zinc chelate, zinc monomethionine, zinc gluconate, zinc acetate, or as zinc citrate.

All of these versions of zinc are equally good so you can choose whichever form works best for you. 

Definitely stay away from zinc oxide which is the cheapest form of zinc and is inferior to the other formulations listed above. 

When using zinc for your thyroid, make sure that you are swallowing your capsules and not using zinc in a lozenge or sublingual form or anything like that. 

Zinc used in this way may stay in your upper respiratory tract and not get absorbed into the body (where you want it!). 

This is helpful if you have a cold and want to treat something like a respiratory virus but doesn’t do much good if you are trying to improve your thyroid status. 

How much Zinc Should you Take for your Thyroid? 

There’s also a fair bit of controversy regarding how much zinc you should take. 

No one is disputing the importance of zinc for thyroid function but how much you should take every day does get disputed. 

I used to recommend higher doses of zinc for thyroid patients, on the order of about 30 to 60mg of zinc per day. 

Within the last few years, I’ve dramatically reduced this recommendation to around 5 to 10mg of zinc per day. 

My recommendation for daily zinc use stems from how much the body can absorb which is only around 7 to 10mg at any given time. 

If you look at most doses of zinc they are considerably higher than this which means that most of that zinc doesn’t make it into your body. 

In addition, higher doses of zinc may cause an upset stomach, stomach pain, or even acid reflux which is why lower doses are often better than higher doses. 

For most thyroid patients, taking 10 to 15mg of zinc daily is more than enough. 

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If you are someone who wants more zinc then you need to split up your dose at least 5 hours away from whenever you took your first dose in order to ensure the second dose gets absorbed. 

When using zinc for thyroid support it’s often ideal to combine it with other nutrients (including selenium which we will talk about next) because of the important role they play together. 

Because of this, look for supplements that contain around 5-15mg of zinc in each serving combined with other helpful thyroid-supporting nutrients such as selenium. 

You can get the correct form of zinc with other thyroid-enhancing ingredients here.

If you prefer to use zinc by itself just make sure you get the correct form and at the correct dose.

#2. Selenium

Selenium is another fantastic nutrient to take if you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

Why is selenium so important? 

For several reasons:

The first is that selenium plays an important role in helping your thyroid to produce a powerful antioxidant known as glutathione. 

Glutathione’s job is to protect the thyroid gland from inflammation and free radical damage. 

And because the hallmark of Hashimoto’s is thyroid gland inflammation, it’s obviously important to have sufficient glutathione in your thyroid gland!

In addition, and much like zinc, selenium is also important for supporting healthy T3 levels because it impacts thyroid conversion (5). 

If that wasn’t enough, we also have studies that show that supplementing with selenium may help reduce thyroid antibodies (6) in people who have Hashimoto’s! 

These studies show mixed results meaning that not everyone who takes selenium will see a reduction in thyroid antibodies but even just knowing this provides you with another tool to potentially treat your condition aside from just thyroid medication. 

The reduction in thyroid antibodies seen with selenium is probably related to its impact on glutathione and reduced inflammation. 

How Much Selenium should you take if you have Hashimoto’s?

There is a tendency for people with Hashimoto’s to get really excited when they hear about selenium and its impact on thyroid antibodies. 

After all, who doesn’t want to reduce their thyroid antibodies?!

Sometimes, these people will use higher than normal doses of selenium which can actually cause more harm than good. 

To ensure that you don’t cause more harm than good, you will want to keep your daily selenium dose from supplements somewhere between 100 and 200mcg per day. 

Many providers agree that if you stay below 400 to 500mcg of selenium each day that you should be okay but this total takes into account selenium that you get from all sources including your diet. 

If you stick to a dose of around 100 to 200mcg of selenium from your supplements then that gives you a buffer to ensure that you aren’t getting potentially high and toxic doses of selenium. 

The symptoms of selenium excess include many symptoms which mimic low thyroid function including hair loss, brittle nails, stomach problems, fatigue, and joint pain. 

Just like zinc, people with Hashimoto’s will see an improved benefit when using selenium in concert with other thyroid-supporting nutrients. 

For that reason, you will want to use a supplement that combines both zinc and selenium together such as this one

If you prefer to use selenium alone then look for selenium in the doses listed above and as selenomethionine, selenocysteine, or selenium glycinate. 

#3. Adrenal Support

After testing hundreds of patients with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, I’ve yet to find a significant number that didn’t also have adrenal problems. 

The degree of adrenal-related problems can vary from person to person but it pretty much almost always co-exists with thyroid disease of any kind. 

And the reason is simple:

There is a strong connection between your adrenal glands and your thyroid (7) such that a problem with one will almost always result in a problem in the other. 

This connection is so strong that small changes to your cortisol level are enough to impact TSH levels or thyroid function. 

But that’s not the only reason you need to consider adrenal function if you have Hashimoto’s. 

The main reason I’ve included adrenal support on this list is that even though adrenal and thyroid problems tend to co-exist, they need to be treated separately. 

Put another way:

Treating your adrenals will NOT improve your thyroid or vice versa. 

Both conditions require treatment but the treatments are different and distinct. 

How can you tell if you have adrenal problems?

It’s actually easier than you might think. 

If you spend some time on the internet then you’ve probably heard about the idea of adrenal fatigue. 

Adrenal fatigue is really what I mean when I refer to adrenal problems but probably not in the way that you are thinking about it. 

In the traditional sense, adrenal fatigue refers to the changes in cortisol that occur when you are under stress for a prolonged period of time. 

These changes are often associated with the following symptoms:

  • Severe fatigue despite getting enough sleep at night
  • Cravings for salty or sugary foods
  • The sensation of feeling “wired but tired”
  • Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
  • Anxiety or the feeling that your mind is racing and won’t shut off
  • The classic midday crash around 2-5 pm
  • The reliance upon caffeine as an energy source to help you get through the day or to get you going in the morning

Unfortunately, this concept doesn’t really hold when scrutinized in the medical literature (8). 

Does that mean adrenal fatigue isn’t real? Not by a long shot. 

Instead, you just need to shift how you think about it. 

Instead of hyper-focusing on your cortisol status or cortisol levels, you should instead focus on treatments that help support and nourish your adrenal gland. 

As you support and nourish your adrenal gland you will see improvement in your thyroid function as well as your energy levels. 

There are many treatments for supporting your adrenals but I am going to focus on supplements because that’s the topic we are focusing on today!

These two groups of supplements work very well for patients with Hashimotos:

Adrenal Glandulars for Hashimoto’s

Adrenal glandulars are one of my favorite ways to improve adrenal function in those with Hashimoto’s. 

These glandulars contain parts of the animal adrenal glands that have been dried up and desiccated into a powder form. 

This powder contains components of the adrenal gland which you can take by mouth and support your own adrenal function. 

And it works very well!

Some people get scared of these supplements because they believe it contains active cortisol hormones. 

They do not (or at least they shouldn’t if you get them from the right place). 

Adrenal glandulars are incredibly effective, especially for people with Hashimoto’s who have severe fatigue, and can be used regardless of your cortisol level. 

They can be used with high cortisol, low cortisol, and even normal cortisol. 

These glandulars can be combined with adrenal adaptogens (which we will talk about next) for even greater benefit. 

I’ve successfully used this adrenal glandular supplement in thousands of people with thyroid disease with great success. 

Adrenal Adaptogens for Hashimoto’s

Adrenal adaptogens work a little bit differently from adrenal glandulars but they are still very effective. 

These adaptogens are plant-based ingredients that have been shown to have powerful effects on vitality through their impact on stress resiliency. 

They essentially work by helping your body tolerate the stress that you place on it by helping your body adapt to that stress. 

What’s cool about these adaptogens is that they aren’t some new or untested therapy. They have literally been used for thousands of years to help support energy and vitality. 

Take ashwagandha, for instance, which has been used in Ayurvedic medicine since 6000 BC (9).

Other types of adrenal adaptogens include:

  • Rhodiola
  • Ginseng
  • Holy Basil
  • Maca
  • Astragalus
  • Cordyceps
  • Reishi mushroom
  • And Schisandra

When it comes to treating Hashimoto’s and thyroid disease, I find that the 3 best from the list above include ashwagandha, Rhodiola, and maca root. 

Of course, the others can be helpful as well but my experience suggests that these 3 tend to work the best for the thyroid/adrenal system. 

If you are looking for an adrenal supplement designed for thyroid patients then check out this one.

#4. Probiotics and Prebiotics

Probiotics and prebiotics are included in this supplement for one very important reason:

Your gut is a major site of immune regulation for your entire body!

And guess why that’s important…

Because Hashimoto’s is first and foremost a disease of your immune system. 

Now it just so happens that treating your gut allows you to indirectly improve T3 levels which I will talk about shortly but that isn’t the main reason we are focusing on your gut. 

While not every single root cause of Hashimoto’s stems from the gut, there are a huge number of people where the gut is ground zero and is likely the very location that triggered their disease state. 

Conditions ranging from gut infections (10) (H. pylori) to food sensitivities (11), to increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut) have all been implicated as potential causes and triggers of autoimmune thyroid disease. 

This means that treating your gut should take top priority if you have Hashimoto’s!

How do you know if your gut needs to be optimized? 

The most obvious and easy way to tell is to look at your symptoms and ask yourself these questions:

  • Do I have at least one bowel movement each day?
  • Do I suffer from any other gut symptoms including things like cramping, gas, bloating, or abdominal pain?
  • Do certain foods cause abdominal pain or make me feel poorly?
  • Do I have several nutrient deficiencies or problems with absorbing food/minerals/vitamins? 
  • Do I have other problems such as Celiac disease?
  • Do I have bad breath?

If your gut is healthy then you should have at least one bowel movement every day, you should NOT have abdominal issues/symptoms, you should be able to tolerate foods without any issues, you should NOT have nutrient deficiencies, and you should not have bad breath. 

These are all indications that you need to spend some time optimizing your gut. 

There are many ways to do this but one of the easiest ways is to take probiotics with or without prebiotics. 

Probiotics act to help repopulate your gut with healthy bacteria, improve bacterial diversity in your gut, fight pathogens (bad bacteria), reduce gut inflammation, and encourage the growth of healthy bacteria. 

Contrary to popular belief, the microorganisms in your probiotic typically do not stay in your GI tract. 

Instead, they work by influencing other changes in your gut that influence your immune system. 

Because of this, there isn’t one “best” probiotic for everyone with Hashimoto’s. 

Instead, you should focus on taking probiotics that have a wide diversity of bacterial species and probiotics that exist in a high enough dose to actually have an impact. 

This will give you the best results. 

Some probiotics that I have used successfully in people who have Hashimoto’s include:

  • Lactobacillus species
  • Bifidobacterium species
  • Beneficial yeast (saccharomyces boulardii)
  • And soil-based organisms

If you want to stick to well-studied strains of bacteria then I would recommend this 100 billion CFU/serving probiotic

If you want both high dose and diversity, then I would recommend looking at a probiotic such as this one

#5. Vitamin D3 with or without Vitamin K2

Vitamin D is something that we should all be concerned about but especially those with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

Vitamin D deficiency is incredibly common in the world with as many as 1 billion people worldwide suffering from this very problem. 

Research suggests that thyroid patients are more likely to develop vitamin D deficiency for two big reasons:

The first is that the low thyroid state impairs intestinal absorption of vitamin D.

The second is that the low thyroid state impairs the activation of vitamin D that does make it into your body.

These two reasons explain why the deficiency is so common among patients with Hashimoto’s but they don’t explain why it’s such a big deal. 

The reason you should concern yourself with your vitamin D level has to do with how this deficiency impacts thyroid function, your risk for developing cancer, and its impact on your immune system. 

For instance, vitamin D is necessary for immune system regulation. 

And you will recall from our previous discussion that Hashimoto’s is primarily a disease of the immune system. 

We know that people who are vitamin D deficient are at increased risk for developing autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

Whether or not vitamin D deficiency is an actual trigger of Hashimoto’s or simply a risk factor is not well understood. 

But in either event, we know it’s a good idea to optimize your vitamin D because some studies show that it can improve your thyroid hormone levels including your TSH (12)!

Obviously, vitamin D is playing a role in helping your thyroid hormone work in addition to its impact on your immune system. 

In addition, it appears that vitamin D deficiency plays a causal role in the development of chronic pain and muscular pain seen in many thyroid patients. 

Taking vitamin D may help to improve muscle pain! 

And lastly, vitamin D deficiency may increase your risk of developing thyroid cancer (13). 

Regardless of how you look at it, you will want to make sure your vitamin D level is optimized if you have Hashimoto’s. 

But the question is, how do you do that?

How to Optimize your Vitamin D for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Before you plan to optimize your vitamin D, you will want to get your labs checked to see if you need to. 

You can check your vitamin D level by getting a simple blood test from your doctor which is very accurate. 

The best test available is 25-hydroxy vitamin D

If you are like most patients I’ve tested then you will find that your level is less than optimal!

Optimal levels are anywhere from 40-60 ng/mL (if you are outside of this range then you will want to get your levels up). 

There are two main ways to bring up your vitamin D level: 

The first is to get your vitamin D the all-natural way. 

To ensure you are getting enough from the sun make sure you follow these rules:

  • Be out in the sun between the hours of noon and 2 pm, when your shadow is smaller than you
  • Make sure that 40% of your body is uncovered
  • Make sure there are no clouds obstructing the sun (otherwise UVB rays will bounce off of the clouds)
  • Make sure that you are not wearing any sunscreen (sunscreens block all UVB rays and only allow UVA rays in)

If you are like most people then getting your vitamin D from the sun every day isn’t possible. 

If you can’t, don’t worry! You can still get your vitamin D level up with supplements. 

When taking vitamin D supplements, the best form to take is cholecalciferol which is known as vitamin D3. 

This version is the most active and does not require further activation via sunlight like the D2 formulation. 

In terms of dosing, you will want to use somewhere between 1,000 and 5,000 IU per day depending on what your blood level shows. 

I find that a good daily dose of vitamin D3 is somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 IUs daily. 

If you are taking vitamin D but your blood level isn’t going up then make sure you are taking your vitamin D with a fatty meal and try taking magnesium supplements as well. 

This should help ensure that your vitamin D is being absorbed and used by the body! 

Many people believe that you MUST take vitamin K2 with vitamin D in order for it to be effective. 

This isn’t true. 

Vitamin K2 can help with calcium processing but I really only see a benefit in people who have issues such as heart disease and osteoporosis. 

If you’d like you can add vitamin K2 to your D3 supplement but it is NOT automatically required if you have Hashimoto’s. 

For best results, look for a vitamin D3 supplement that is in a micellized matrix

This ensures maximum absorption! 

#6. Pycnogenol

Next on the list is something called pycnogenol or pine bark extract. 

Pycnogenol is made from the bark of the French maritime pine tree and it’s frequently used for its impact on the immune system and inflammation. 

It’s not known exactly how pine bark works but it’s theorized to work by acting as an antioxidant and immunostimulant (14). 

Antioxidants work by cleaning up free radicals in your cells which can damage and even result in the death of certain cells. 

This is a problem for patients with Hashimoto’s who often experience the production of free radicals directly in the thyroid gland from the production of thyroid hormone. 

When your body produces thyroid hormone it creates free radicals in the form of hydrogen peroxide which can turn around and damage your thyroid gland unless they are cleaned up by antioxidants. 

The number 1 most important antioxidant in the thyroid gland is glutathione which we will talk more about in a minute!

By giving your body extra antioxidants, you may be able to prevent this damage from occurring when your body creates thyroid hormones. 

And this is probably how pycnogenol works. 

It’s been my experience that pycnogenol is particularly effective at helping to reduce thyroid antibodies and it can be combined with other supplements, such as vitamin D, to help support the immune system. 

If you are someone who has high levels of TPO antibodies or thyroglobulin antibodies, then considering pycnogenol would be ideal!

You can kind of think of pycnogenol as a therapy similar to LDN (low-dose naltrexone) in its impact on thyroid antibodies and inflammation. 

While vitamin D3 helps to support general immune function, pycnogenol and LDN may help to reduce thyroid antibodies and thyroid gland damage. 

You can’t (or shouldn’t) focus solely on your antibody levels, but in most cases, it’s ideal to lower them if at all possible. 

Just realize that lowering your antibodies doesn’t always correlate with improved thyroid function even though it seems like it should. 

If you want to use pine bark extract make sure you find it in the pycnogenol (French Maritime Pine Bark Extract) form. 

The ideal dose is somewhere between 200 to 400mg per day! 

#7. Fish oil

Next on the list is fish oil which is one of my favorites for those with Hashimoto’s. 

Fish oil is an ideal supplement for Hashimoto’s because it targets several areas that you are probably struggling with!

These include:

  • Inflammation – Associated with thyroid gland damage
  • Immune dysregulation – The underlying cause of Hashimoto’s
  • Depression and anxiety – A primary symptom of low thyroid states
  • Insulin resistance – A condition that contributes to weight gain and weight loss resistance
  • Dry skin and acne – Another complication of low thyroid
  • Weight loss and muscle mass – Fish oil can be used as a weight loss therapy/supplement!

Fish oil is so important for thyroid patients that I include it as one of my top 5 recommended daily supplements for all thyroid patients. 

At its core, fish oil is really just a healthy fat. 

Fish oil supplements provide your body with literal oil from fish!

The oil from fish contains very high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids (a special type of fat) which have a direct impact on many cells in the body. 

The fats from fish oil get incorporated into the cell membrane of your cells in various tissues which is probably why it works to improve things from your mental state to the health of your skin. 

Healthy fats help your cells work more efficiently and even impact cellular processes such as the inflammatory cascade (15). 

Because most people with Hashimoto’s are consuming inflammatory fats in their diet, taking fish oil can help provide balance to your body and cells. 

You can get fish oil from the real deal (by eating fish) or by taking supplements. 

In a perfect world, you would be getting your omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish such as salmon, herring, white fish, sardines, and anchovies at least 3 to 5 times per week. 

If these foods aren’t making it into your diet, then you aren’t alone! And you can still get them into your diet by taking fish oil supplements. 

Fish oil supplements are not all created equal, though, so before you run out and grab one make sure that you find one with the following attributes: 

  • A triglyceride delivery system to ensure maximum absorption and sustained serum blood levels (this will also help avoid burping up fish oil)
  • An iFOS 5-star certified fish oil to ensure your fish oil is not contaminated with heavy metals such as mercury (16)
  • A combination dose of both EPA and DHA in the 500 to 1,000 mg per capsule range

For managing Hashimoto’s, a daily dose of 1,000 to 2,000 mg of fish oil is ideal. 

If you are dealing with a Hashimoto’s flare-up or an increase in thyroid gland inflammation, then doses as high as 2,000 to 4,000mg per day may be needed!

Look for fish oil that meets the criteria above such as this one

#8. Glutathione

I mentioned glutathione when we were talking about thyroid gland inflammation and thyroid gland damage above. 

And it’s so important that it deserves its own section. 

In the healthy thyroid gland, your body produces glutathione to help clean up the antioxidants produced with the creation of thyroid hormone. 

But what happens when you can’t produce enough glutathione?

Well, to put it simply, your thyroid gland will start to damage itself, and portions of your thyroid gland will leak out into your bloodstream where your immune system may interact with them and create antibodies to them. 

The portions of the thyroid gland that leak out include thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin! The very same enzymes that your body produces antibodies to when you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

Researchers theorize that thyroid gland cell death may be one way that your immune system comes into contact with these enzymes which may initiate the production of antibodies. 

One way to prevent this from occurring is to optimize your glutathione levels!

There are two ways to do this:

  • The first is by taking selenium (a nutrient we already discussed!) – Selenium is necessary for your thyroid to produce glutathione (17). If you are selenium deficient then you may not be able to create enough glutathione in your thyroid gland. 
  • The second is by taking glutathione directly – Glutathione exists in supplement form which you can take by mouth. This allows you an extra way to get glutathione into your body and thyroid gland to reduce thyroid gland inflammation and damage. 

Glutathione doses ranging from 250 mg to 1,000 mg per day have been shown to be safe (18) but these high doses may not be required for those with Hashimoto’s. 

Even low doses of glutathione, when combined with other nutrients such as selenium, can be effective for improving immune status in those with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

I would recommend combining glutathione along with many of the other nutrients we’ve already discussed for the best results. 

You can find an example of what that may look like here: 

#9. Iodine

Last on the list is iodine. 

I know what you are thinking:

“Isn’t iodine dangerous if you have Hashimoto’s and shouldn’t it be avoided?”

Not exactly. 

Iodine is an element that the human body REQUIRES for life. 

Put in simple terms, iodine is necessary for thyroid hormone production, and thyroid hormone is necessary for you to eat, breathe, sleep, and function. 

A complete lack of thyroid hormone is not compatible with life which means a lack of iodine is not compatible with life. 

Most people don’t realize this important connection and they fail to understand that humans can’t produce iodine on their own. 

They will exclaim that iodine is dangerous for those with Hashimoto’s all the while failing to appreciate that they are consuming iodine daily in foods such as bananas, strawberries, milk, yogurt, and eggs, and even getting doses of iodine from their makeup or beauty products!

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that iodine is automatically harmful if you have Hashimoto’s. 

Iodine can certainly trigger problems in those with Hashimoto’s but the problems don’t stem directly from the iodine. 

Instead, they stem from a lack of other nutrients and antioxidants, such as selenium, which is required to reduce thyroid gland damage when thyroid hormone is created. 

Iodine gets the blame when it’s really a combination of factors that contribute. 

And negative reactions to iodine are actually quite rare, even among people with Hashimoto’s!

If you are one of the unlucky few who reacts negatively to iodine then you should focus on optimizing the nutrients discussed on this page. 

Everyone else needs to ensure that they are getting at least 100 to 250mcg of iodine per day from all sources (including diet, foods, and absorption from beauty products). 

If you need additional iodine then you’ll want to use a lower dose combined with zinc, selenium, glutathione, and other antioxidants. 

This will prevent the negative reactions that may come with iodine supplementation. 

For a much more detailed overview of the safety of iodine in Hashimoto’s, please see this article

If you need to use a low-dose iodine supplement then look for one like this.

Wrapping It Up 

There you have it! A complete list of supplements all designed to help improve thyroid status, immune status, and inflammation in those with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

I’ve spent the last 5 years helping tens of thousands of thyroid patients and this is the result of that help. 

It’s been my experience that the use of supplements can be a powerful tool when combined with a healthy diet, regular exercise, thyroid medication (if necessary), stress reduction, quality sleep, and detoxification. 

With these therapies, it may be possible to put Hashimoto’s into remission or, at the very least, reduce your symptoms and help you feel better!

Now It’s your turn. 

What supplements have you tried for your Hashimoto’s?

Which ones have worked best for you?

Did any of the supplements on this list surprise you?

Are you planning on trying any of the supplements listed here? If so, which ones?

Leave your questions or comments below! 

Scientific References

#1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3271310/

#2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7353203/

#3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4429650/

#4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9701160

#5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8834378

#6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23046013

#7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3520819/

#8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997656/

#9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252722/

#10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7167994/

#11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7327046/

#12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6166548/

#13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618598/

#14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6619435/

#15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28900017/

#16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14632570/

#17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4210904/

#18. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24791752/

9 of the best supplements for treating hashimoto's thyroiditis

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About Dr. Westin Childs

Hey! I'm Westin Childs D.O. (former Osteopathic Physician). I don't practice medicine anymore and instead specialize in helping people like YOU who have thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, and weight loss resistance. I love to write and share what I've learned over the years. I also happen to formulate the best supplements on the market (well, at least in my opinion!) and I'm proud to say that over 80,000+ people have used them over the last 7 years. You can read more about my own personal health journey and why I am so passionate about what I do.

P.S. Here are 4 ways you can get more help right now:

#1. Get my free thyroid downloads, resources, and PDFs here.

#2. Need better symptom control? Check out my thyroid supplements.

#3. Sign up to receive 20% off your first order.

#4. Follow me on Youtube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram for up-to-date thyroid tips, tricks, videos, and more.

127 thoughts on “The Best Supplements for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (Support Immune & Thyroid Function)”

  1. I just read the small print on the bottle of the Adrenal support.
    It reads….bovine….
    I have a beef allergy, surely this means that it is not good for me?

    Reply
  2. Another brilliant article, thank you so much. If you ever come to Ireland on holiday, let me know because I’d love an appointment ! ! Thanks again

    Reply
      • Dr Childs,

        Can you recommend good multivitamin formula for patient with Hashimoto desease who takes 100mg of Synthroid and has only left lobe of thyroid.
        i had papillary carcinoma 10 years ago. Now left portion doesn’t have nodules. TSH is 2.5.
        Thank you

        Reply
  3. I have Hypothyroidism going on 10 years now and still on the same dose as I started 10 years ago ,Synthroid 75 mcg and I also have Addisons Disease have this going on 30 plus years now, and take Hydrocortisone 20 mg 2x a day,and Bupropion HCL SR 100MG 2X a day, recently I went into menopause and started gaining a lot of weight,plus bad night sweats and hot flashes and depression. I am only 5’2 and I never ever weighed this much in my life 197lbs!! my current Dr doesnt even care that I weigh this much ,I have been to so many Drs over the years ,I have to stay in my area and not 1 of them, has ever helped me and being on Disability Medicaid, I am very limited in finding a Dr.,especially looking for a ” good Dr” and I do not have the extra money to pay for a office visit to a Dr who does not accept Medicaid. I try to eat healthy and clean I do not smoke or drink and I try to exercise the best I can.

    My recent labs showed that my Cholesterol Total 252 H
    Triglycerides 204 H
    LDL -Cholesterol 140 H
    Non HDL Cholesterol 181 H
    T3 99
    TSH 3.29
    Alkaline Phosphate 211
    ALT 31
    RED BLOOD CELL COUNT 5.76
    HEMOGLOBIN 16.2
    HEMATOCRIT 50.8
    MCHC 31.9
    TSH IS LISTED AGAIN 0.20 L
    And I HAVE A VERY FATTY LIVER with elevated liver enzymes ( ultrasound was done and found nothing )

    I recently purchased “New Chapter 40 + every womens One Daily Multi Vitamins” it is made with organic vegetables and herbs and Nutrients for Bone,Hormone, and Digestion Support,I just started this and I hopes it helps me.

    Supplement Facts
    Serving Size 1 TABLET
    Servings Per Container 72
    Amount Per Serving % Daily Value
    Vitamin A – (100% As Beta Carotene) 5000 IU 100%
    Vitamin C 60 Mg 100%
    Vitamin D3 1000 IU 250%
    Vitamin E 30 IU 100%
    Vitamin K1 70 Mcg 88%
    VITAMIN K2 – (MK-7)(FROM MENAQ7) 10 Mcg 12%
    THIAMINE-VITAMIN B1 2 Mg 133%
    RIBOFLAVIN-VITAMIN B2 2 Mg 188%
    Niacin 20 Mg 100%
    Vitamin B6 5 Mg 250%
    Folate 200 Mcg 50%
    Vitamin B12 25 Mcg 417%
    Biotin 150 Mcg 50%
    Pantothenic Acid 10 Mg 100%
    CALCIUM – (FROM ALGAE) 25 Mg 3%
    IODINE 75 Mcg 50%
    MAGNESIUM – (80% CULTURED,20% FRM ALGAE) 6 Mg 2%
    ZINC 7 Mg 50%
    SELENIUM 75 Mcg 107%
    COPPER 750 Mcg 38%
    MANGANESE 1 Mcg 50%
    CHROMIUM 60 Mcg 50%
    MOLYBDENUM 10 Mcg 13%
    MIXED CAROTENOIDS 3 Mg N/A*
    BREAST SUPPORT BLEND – (SPROUTED SEEDS)(ORGANIC BROCOLLI, CAULIFLOWER, KALE, DAIKON RADISH, CABBAGE, MUSTARD) 50 Mg N/A*
    HORMONE SUPPORT BLEND – (ORGANIC CHASTE TREE (BERRY), ORGANIC RED CLOVER (FLOWER), ORGANIC RASPBERRY (LEAF) 50 Mg N/A*
    STRESS/ENERGY SUPPORT BLEND – (ORGANIC SCHIZANDRA (BERRY), ORGANIC MACA (ROOT) ORGANIC CHAMOMILE (FLOWER) 30 Mg N/A*
    CARDIO SUPPORT BLEND – (ORGANIC FENUGREEK (SEED), ORGANIC OREGANO (LEAF) GRAPESEED EXTRACT (NOT CULTURED), ORGANIC HAWTHORN (BERRY AND SEED) 20 Mg N/A*
    DIGESTIVE SUPPORT BLEND – (ORGANIC ALOE (LEAF), ORGANIC PEPPERMINT (LEAF), ORGANIC CORIANDER (SEED) ORGANIC CARDAMON (FRUIT), ORGANIC ARTICHOKE (LEAF) 10 Mg N/A*
    FULL SPECTRUM HERBAL EXTRACTS GINGER – (RHIZOME) 3.2 MG HYDROEHTANOLIC EXTRACT AND 0.8 MG ORGANIC SUPERCRITICAL EXTRACT 4 Mg N/A*
    TUMERIC (RHIZOME) – 3.2 MG HYDROETHANOLIC EXTRACT AND 0.8 MG ORGANIC SUPERCRITICAL EXTRACT 4 Mg

    Reply
    • Hey Kathleen,

      It can be tough to find good Doctors in the insurance model, but it sounds like you are heading in the right direction. You could consider bioidentical hormones like biest + progesterone – but it may be difficult to find a Doctor willing to prescribe these in the insurance model.

      Reply
      • I have been to so many Drs and no one will help me with the weight gain or dealing with the High Cholesterol, I Have had these same lab results for the last 4 years now ,my current Dr I asked him for a script for “Cytomel” he said I didnt need it or even a script for a appetite suppressant, I am worried and very depressed that I will have a massive heart attack, I even asked my Dr for a higher dose of Synthroid he said I dont need it ,the dose is just fine according to him. Something is wrong somewhere with me weighing almost 200 pounds,I cant seem to loose the weight no matter what I do !! I eat clean no junk or processed food, 4 years ago I weighed 140 lbs and I felt good, like I said something is very wrong. Would 7- keto with DHEA AND VITAMIN b-6 100 MG help? Is there a supplement I could take to increase my metabolism or a appetite supplement ?

        Reply
        • It’s unlikely that one supplement will radically increase your metabolism and cause significant weight loss. Your best bet is finding a good doctor willing to work with you that specializes in hormones and weight loss.

          Reply
    • Overall, it looks like a pretty good multivitamin, but I noticed a few things lacking. There is not much calcium and magnesium and there is no iron. So you will need calcium and magnesium supplements, and get your iron levels done before you decide to supplement with iron. Try to get it through your diet first.

      Reply
  4. I have had success with methylayed Vitamins; I purchased one that is in sublingual from methyl-life.com. I take Deplin which is methylfolate (Dr. Prescribed). I have been off thyroid meds for 5 weeks now and feel good 80% of the time. The other 20% I feel either hyper or hypo. I think this fluctuation might be normal as things are evening out? I also take picolinate zinc and molybdenum (to help bind with excess metals) I use the mo-zyme forte form. I keep up with my vitamin A, D, E, and don’t eat dairy in any form. I hope everyone can solve their thyroid problems! My diagnosis is Hashimotos and I plan to go in for blood draw in a few weeks. There are a few things that might be helping too, but I’m still playing around with them and trying to perfect things…

    Reply
    • Hey Darleen,

      I’m glad you’ve found what works for you! Keep up the good work and thank you for sharing 🙂

      Reply
  5. Two things ~ I’m disappointed in your recommendation to supplement with hormone D, as it depletes magnesium and increases calcium absorption in soft tissue. Simply supplementing with a good magnesium will raise hormone d levels. Also, I have taken a Life Extension Zinc with copper supplement, but every time I get nauseous immediately, even with food. Any ideas on why?

    Excellent article otherwise!

    Thank You!

    Reply
    • Hey Deb,

      No problem and I would consider zinc without the copper, or at least checking your copper/zinc ratio prior to supplementing.

      Reply
  6. Hello! I have Hashimoto and I take selenium pills every day. What do you think should take selenium each day? Or should take the pills within a certain period? Laboratory analyzes are very expensive… Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Supplementing Zinc and Selenium without being tested for deficiencies is incorrect… Too much Zinc causes issues with Copper… And too much Selenium causes more issues.

    Reply
    • Great assumption, but where’s the data showing that testing is an adequate indicator of tissue levels of zinc/copper/selenium? In addition, where are the studies showing that supplementing to these “normal” levels actually has clinical benefit? There’s a test for everything nowadays, but what good are they if they don’t give you any actionable data?

      My recommendations are based on treating hundreds of patients. What is your recommendation based on? You say they cause issues but do you even know what issues they cause? It sounds like you are just regurgitating what you’ve read elsewhere.

      Reply
      • Hi. I have used iodine, but noticed antibodies increased and TSH was slightly higher, although within the accepted parameters. It may have been due to iodine. I told my doctor and she said iodine can in fact exacerbate things. She did say it was a bad move on my side.

        Reply
        • Hi Carmo,

          Iodine is an essential nutrient and required for thyroid function. If you take it with selenium, it’s perfectly safe, even for Hashimoto’s.

          Reply
  8. Hello Dr. Childs,

    I was recently diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH 3.75 and FT3 2.3) after struggling with vague but frustrating symptoms (persistent weight gain, hair loss, depression). My doctor put me on 10 mcg of T3 medication and things have been getting slightly better.

    However, I have been wondering what the underlying cause of my sluggish thyroid might be. I’d prefer to not be on medicine forever.

    I had the lab test me for serum iodine and the results came back below the range at 29.1 ug/L (range: 40 – 92). I know there is a lot of controversy around iodine and whether this is a reliable test. Should this low reading concern me? Is it possible that I am iodine deficient and that is what is causing my hypo symptoms? I have tested negative for thyroid antibodies three separate times, so I know the source of my thyroid trouble isn’t autoimmune in nature.

    Thank you for your time and thoughts. I appreciate it!

    Reply
    • Wow, Sarah! Your TSH is hiiiigh!!! Did they also test your reverse T3 and T4? If you are on facebook, I would also recommend joining the group “Hashimoto’s 411.” You’ll learn a lot from people who walk the same journey.

      Best wishes!
      ~deb

      Reply
  9. I just ordered BioGanix extra strength thyroid support before I found your site. The bottle calls for taking two capsules a day and contains 150 mcg of iodine in each capsule. Do you think this is too much to start off with or is it a small enough amount? Also I have been taking Levothyroxine for a few years. I am convinced it is making m gain weight as I do Crossfit 4 days a weeks and eat relatively healthy. I have thought about trying Nature-throid. What do you usually put your patients on?

    thank you.

    Reply
    • Hey Alicia,

      Each patient is different and requires a different dose and type of medication or a combination of thyroid medications.

      Reply
  10. I love you’re thorough explanations in EVEYTHING I’m literally at an all time low I have been on levo for 4 years now for hashimotos my gen doctor just keeps adjusting my levels I really really just want to feel normal again 🙁 I’m a 28 yr old guy with my whole life ahead of me the levo worked in the beginning I seriously feel like I’m at a standstill now! I’m constantly tired no energy in pain high anxiety insomnia and depression I wish I could even comprehend on where to go from here i wish I could just make an appointment with you and advice on who to find what to look for? I’m begging for help! Thank you

    Reply
    • Hey Ricardo,

      I’m glad you’ve found it to be helpful! It’s my experience that most patients do far better when their thyroid medication has T3 in it. Unfortunately finding a provider to give you the medication can be difficult. Treating hashimoto’s also requires some degree of educated guesswork with trial and error – it usually takes me about 4 months to get people significant improvement in their symptoms. If possible try to find a doctor who shares a similar practice philosophy as me nearby.

      Reply
      • Trying to find a Dr who has greater knowledge of thyroid disorders, and works by more than the traditional thyroid blood testing, is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. A very large haystack! In my experience in 16 yrs, they treat off of blood work versus patient symptoms. It’s extremely frustrating when I KNOW there is a way to feel better. At the same time it is extremely overwhelming to try to figure it all out on your own. With so much info out there it’s so confusing!

        Reply
        • Hello. I agree with you. I had my left thyroidectomy done for Papillary Thyroid cancer. My endocrinologist suggested I just have the right side removed and go through radioactive iodine treatment because it would make her job easier to treat my Hashimotos.. Needless to say she is no longer my doctor. I’ve since changed to a new one. Still won’t prescribe T3 though. So I’m trying on my own as well.
          Best of luck.

          Reply
  11. I am 43 and have had Hashimoto’s for 5 years, my thyroid is still in good condition. In the beginning the doctor tried me on levothyroxine it made me 10x worse, she tried me on armor & again I had the same problem. I decided to try a natural approach and decided to treat my symptoms not the disease, since I was told I would have it for the rest of my life and there isn’t a cure. The one vitamin that has helped me from taking 4 naps a day has been one called Thyro-slim. I take a high dosage of vitamin D, Vitamin C, Calcium, Magnesium, Probiotics, Enzymes, Omega 3, and Coconut Oil. Lately though, in the last 6 months, I have been feeling sluggish again. I feel this is because of the depression medication I had to get back on about a year ago. I’m not sure if they are co-related but I’m not sure where else the sluggishness could be stemming from. However I don’t feel that I can get off my meds yet. There were a few vitamins you mentioned above that I am going to try. I also recently was told that different foods you eat can effect the different antibody that is effecting you. Last time I was tested about 6 months ago, my thyro-perixodase antibodies were at 67, my anti-globulin ones were fine. So I heard that certain foods will make your thyro-perixodase antibodies increase, foods that I was putting in my morning juice like spinach & apples. Very upsetting especially since I loved drinking my morning green juice it always made me feel better and helped me keep the weight off. I have an allergic intolerance to whey, gluten, soy, & Sulfites. Needless to say this makes my diet very hard. Besides trying the supplements you mentioned above do you have any other recommendations? Also my libido is in the toilet this has been since the beginning, which has been a curse for me, since I used to have a very active imagination that would help me write romance, but since it’s non existent I can’t seem to write it anymore. Would you have any hints on how to get that back on track as well? I would so appreciate any help in this matter. Thank you so much for trying to help all those like myself who feel lost in this battle we are having with our own body.

    Reply
    • Hey Michelle,

      Make sure you look into your androgens, so especially DHEA and testosterone. If you have low testosterone (most Hashimoto’s patients do) you can consider using transdermal testosterone to boost libido and to also help reduce antibody levels. In addition look into insulin levels which help drive down testosterone levels.

      Reply
      • Dr. Childs,
        Is there a brand that you suggest for the DHEA & the testerone? I’m intolerant to whey, gluten, soy, & Sulfites.
        Thank you for your help in this matter. I’m looking forward to living again, instead of feeling like a zombie!
        Sincerely,
        Michelle

        Reply
        • Testosterone is a prescription, for DHEA you can try it but I generally recommend taking it via the transdermal route which is also prescription – so you would need to see a Doctor to get either or both.

          Reply
    • I started taking 5-htp for the same symptoms, because I can’t handle SSRI or other type of depression/anxiety medication. It could be low serotonin levels from SAD or an unbalanced Axis. This has helped greatly with my sleep, blues, my anxiety, concentration, and fatigue. It is a precursor for serotonin, so if you have low serotonin it might help. It is not indicated to be used concomitantly with certain types of antidepressants. I also take adrenal support from gXXX, multivitamins + selenium (recommended by my endo cousin). I am on 25 mcg of levothyroxin, and 5 mcg cytomel daily. It was the 5-htp that made a difference with sluggishness I attributed to hypothyroidism.

      Reply
  12. Can you give me any advice on drinking alcohol as a patient with Hashimoto?
    I hear from some to not drink at all and others that one drink is ok so I am unsure of what to do.
    Is it because of the drugs I am on (synthroid, liothyronine) the reason not to drink or is it that not having my thyroid working makes alcohol bad for me?
    Would love your take on this- thank you!

    Reply
    • Hey Lynda,

      I recommend avoidance of alcohol due to a number of reasons, including but not limited to the excess strain in puts on your liver.

      Reply
  13. My TPO’s are over 1000 but my TSH is normal. Hashimoto’s that has not affected my thyroid yet according to MD. U/S shows diffuse, enlarged thyroid “consistent with Hashi’s”. Inability to lose weight, severe anxiety, all over pain (“fibromyalgia”), and severe fatigue 24/7. Just treat with supplements at this point and see if any improvement? I take “Natural Calm” (magnesium drink), but nothing else right now. Thanks much!

    Reply
    • Hey Dena,

      Treatment is a matter of perspective in these cases. In my opinion patients who have hashimoto’s (especially active inflammation) + symptoms should get treated with thyroid hormone. It seems your provider feels differently.

      Reply
  14. Hello Dr Childs, below are my recent blood results. I’ve been taking Levothyroxine 0.100 mg for a little while now and my symptoms seem to have worstened. I feel sluggish and depressed and have gained a lot of weight. In addition I feel that the medication was making me edgy and not myself. I stopped taking Levothyroixine for 3 days now and am trying to get a referral to see an endocrinologist pending the results of a thyroid ultrasound. A couple of years back I was told that I have nodules on my thyroid. I am now on a grain and Soy free vegan diet but it has still been hard for me to lose any weight. Any suggestions on supplements or on how to tackle Hashimotos? Thank you Dr.

    Free T3 2.7 pg/ml
    Reverse T3 19 my/dl
    Free T4 1.1
    TSH 4.26 mIU/I
    Thyroid peroxidase Antibodies 515 IU/ml
    Thyroglobulin Antibodies 4IU/ml

    Reply
  15. Hi I was diagnosed with hashimotos 12months ago and take 100mg of levothyroxine. My tsh is 1.5 and I have just been told I have iron deficiency. My antibodies are 1300 and I am 34. I have so many symptoms and feel so fed up I am backwards and forwards to the Dr’s and not getting anywhere. Where do I start with vitamins etc

    Reply
  16. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2011 and have been on 100mcg of Levothroid since then. I’m almost 39 now and my husband and I have been TTC for almost a year and a half now to no avail. I just got my thyroid retested and requested from more in depth tests instead of just TSH. TSH came back at 1.58, Free T4: 1.1, Total T3: 84 but TPO AB at 246! Could this be causing my infertility? I have Kaiser and so far they have not responded about my test results and it’s been almost a week. Looking for recommendations to help my condition. Thanks!

    Reply
  17. Good morning!
    I have Hashimoto Disease and Celiac Disease, both of which I seem to finally have a firm regulated grip on. However, staying at a steady weight is easy, losing is difficult.

    I am going to start eating more paleo, and to heal my gut along with taking more than Just Vitamin D as i do have a deficiency. What is your suggestion to help me start to lose now that i’ve managed my weight to stop gaining?

    Reply
  18. I have hashimotos. I am seein a dr who put me on naturethroid but now refuses to raise the dose anymore because the tsh is .8. My ft4 is below range at .7. I am depressed. I have tried 2 brands of selenium. I seem to get high anxiety and heart palps later in the day from it. I cannot find info on that happening to anyone. My selenium was tested at 230 mcg. In range.

    Reply
  19. Hi Dr. Child’s,
    Thank you for this site. I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto’s with hypothyroidism. I am on synthroid. It seems to be helping but it remains to be seen if I am on the right levels. Since I am new to all this my question is: do I really need to go gluten free? Dairy free? I do not feel like I’ve had any issues with food but I do have a few symptoms of having a “leaky gut” when it comes to alcohol. So yes, easy answer is to avoid that but does it mean I need to be gluten free?

    Reply
  20. I was on synthroid .150 for over 12 yrs. I have Hashimotos with a total thyroidectomy. Last year late Dec 2015. I switched to nature-throid 2 grain. I took that for 11 months. And switched back to Synthroid Nov 2016. I was 100% allergic to T3. I was miserable. Plagued with migraines and blackout spells 5-7 days a week. I never lost weight, and none of the miracle life changing things that I read about after taking Nature-throid happened for me. I’m stuck at my heaviest weight due to the year of pure hell being on the nature-throid. I actually gained 17 lbs! It’s been approximately 8 weeks of being back on synthroid. My issues with migraines have drastically diminished.I’m down to 1 migraine every 7-9 days now. I’m feeling so much better being back on synthroid. I’m going to start taking some additional supplements to help me even more. I just wanted to put it out there that nature-throid, armour, porcine products just aren’t for everyone. Please do your research before changing thyroid meds you may be sorry in the end…. and if natural thyroid meds work for you, great! Just keep in mind this isn’t a cookie cutter disease.

    Reply
    • Hey Kami,

      Thanks for sharing your story. Unfortunately the story is even more complex than NDT doesn’t work for everyone (though I do agree with that statement). In your case you were most likely reacting to an inactive ingredient or you simply didn’t have a high enough dose. Just because naturethroid didn’t work for you doesn’t mean WP thyroid wouldn’t, etc. I would also point out that you (or other patients) have no way of knowing what/how they will react to medications until they actually try them, so no amount of research can really prepare patients for switching medications.

      The bottom line is that each person is unique and that needs to be taken into account while titrating and changing thyroid medications.

      Reply
  21. I have hashimotos. It went undiagnosed for years. At this point my body has become resistant to natural thyroid requiring large doses that send me into hyper state and blood pressure soaring. I have been researching and found Low Dose Naltrexone has been successful in lower inflamation levels in autoimmune diseases. What are your thoughts on Low Dose Naltrexone? Pradeep Chopra wrote the article

    Reply
    • Hey Deborah,

      You may just be dealing with reverse T3 issues, most patients (by the time they need to see me) I generally drop their NDT dose and increase their T3 only dose and have great results.

      In regards to LDN I do use it frequently and have discussed how I use it in multiple case studies on my site and in this article as well: https://www.restartmed.com/naltrexone-weight-loss/

      Reply
  22. Hi
    My 18 yr old doughter has been diagnosed with hashimoto for the past year. I’m not 100 percent sure of her tests results of recent but is on 150mg of thyroxine daily . She has extremely high antibodies . IIn the 1000s. As a teenager that danced 24/7 after school hours including weekend completions etc was fit and energetic. We are now extreme opposite.
    Initially I thought the weight gain was for to a knee operation that stopped the dancing dreams. The moods were to being a teenager and depression from missing out on her dreams.
    After diagnosis we hoped the metabolism would adjust . But no. I have learnt since about leaky gut etc . I am hoping to have her try the recommended supplements and encourage continually gluten free and low sugar foods. Although I feel that her body and fatigue craves these in a effort to increase the energy levels . Of course costs make it difficult to retain a specialist to continue blood tests to check these various hormone and chemical levels .Would you recommend the supplements without further testing.?
    I beleive her t3 and t4 are at reasonable levels last I knew.
    She no longer lives at home and is studying at uni and working . This is concerning as the energy required to meet deadlines and pay bills is exhausting for anyone without thyroid issues.
    I can supply my daughter with the supplements. Her main concern is the weight gain and difficulty in losing it. Very depressing for a young girl. Adding exercise in the day is almost impossible.
    Thank you for your time .

    Reply
    • Hey Inese,

      Probably the single best thing she can do is clean up her diet, cut out sugar, and cut out refined carbs (preferably gluten free as well). There is really no reason to waste money trying various things until she is ready to commit to this step. If she is unwilling to make this change then long term improvement will be very limited. The good news is that she will probably experience a significant improvement with this one change alone (though it will most likely not take her to 100%), but it should be the first step.

      I can’t speak to the supplements and her labs because she isn’t my patient, but it would be a good idea to try some supplements in addition to the dietary changes for maximum benefit.

      Reply
  23. Hello,
    Thank you for the information you provide on your blog and your videos. I am going to try some of the supplements that you recommend. My questions are:
    1. Can they all be taken at the same time or is it better to take some in the morning & others at night?
    2. Can I assume these supplements will not interfere with thyroid medication?
    Thanks for your advice!

    Reply
    • Hey Kathleen,

      How to take each supplement is outlined in the post above, and all supplements should be taken away from your thyroid medication due to potential absorption issues.

      Reply
  24. Super helpful article Dr. Childs. I am a 60 year old women, physically active and not overweight. I have had hypothyroidism/hashimoto disease for the past 20 years. For last few years i have been on Tirosint 100mcg. Recent blood panel showed with std. range TSH 3.80 m/U/L even though I had stopped taking Tirosint for over one month, although i hate being dependent on Tirosint I did begin taking it again. Also, my B12 was 1569 pg/mL indicating High level so i stopped taking my sublingual B12 and am suffering brain fog and fatigue. Would you recommend continued used of B12 regardless of the High level? I also have high cholesterol 245 total/160 LDL but refuse to take Lipitor. I have added all your recommended supplements to my shopping list and look forward to any feedback you may have. Again thanks so much for your article.

    Reply
  25. Hi,
    I am on a limited budget. Which supplement would you recommend in getting started.
    I have Hashimoto’s Thyrodis and have severe IBS.
    Thank you
    Danielle

    Reply
    • Hey Danielle,

      There is no “best” supplement necessarily, instead I would focus on whatever your biggest problem is based on symptoms and labs and then go from there.

      Reply
  26. hi doctor i have this lab result and all doctors here playing game with me i need your advice please

    THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES >900 H

    CHOLESTEROL, TOTAL 212 H 125-200 mg/dL KS
    HDL CHOLESTEROL 31 L > OR = 40 mg/dL KS
    TRIGLYCERIDES 434 H <150 mg/dL KS

    i tryed many doctor many things but still my life misreble

    Reply
  27. The large problem that I have with all these great people who what to truly put the word out and help all of us with this horrible Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis…….is just ONE HUGE THING! GREED!!! I can’t a straight answer from anyone for going on 19 years! I have great health care, so no issues there. I get on to all these sites and I try to do as much research I can and then a “WOW” word pops out! Great, finally starting to get somewhere…..oh but only if I order YOUR BOOK or YOUR Supplements or get on YOUR webinar. How about this! Why don’t all of the docs get together and make enough women so sick that their begging for cures, fixes, anything to get back to any kind of life at all!?!?!?!? OH WAIT……WE ARE ALREADY THERE!!

    I don’t want pity! I want someone to give me my life back! One that I was proudly serving my family and country!!!

    Reply
  28. Dr Child’s I have been struggling with uncontrolled hoshimotos since 2013. Prior to that my hypothyroidism was well controlled. Now my numbers are: tsh 0.01, t4f 0.55,t3f 3.83 and RT3 is 8.7. I continue to gain weight despite trying a very low calorie Dr led diet, keto, paleo, and weight watchers. I have literally gained 35 lbs in 4 months. I am now taking 1 grain WP thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and $1,000 worth of supplements. Please tell me what to do?

    Reply
  29. I’m 23 and was diagnosed with Hashimotos last year, along with some of the vitamins listed above (Selenium, Vitamin D3, vitamin B12) I am also taking Iron 16mg, Thytrophin PMG, and A-F Betafood, and a daily multi vitamin.. I plan to start Zinc as well. I know it seems like a lot, what is your input? I’m not on the prescription either..

    Reply
  30. Hello Dr. Childs,
    That was a very informative supplement article.Thank you! Is this info also applicable to non-Hashimoto hypo patients?(I am Hypo but not Hashi).
    I have been taking 12.5mg of iodoral for the past 6 months to help with fibrocystic breasts and this has helped greatly. But for hypothyroid issues, do you think this is too high of a dose and can hurt the thyroid gland?
    In your article you recommend both Iodoral and Kelp as Iodine supplement. Can either be used for hypo based on personal choice or both serve different purposes? Little confused here.Please comment. Thank you…

    Reply
  31. Are there any supplements on this list that you strongly advise to use, or NOT use, while breastfeeding? My daughter is over 12 months, but still nurses several times per day. I have hypothyroidism and autoimmune issues, and though I’m supplemented with Synthroid, I still struggle daily with multiple symptoms.

    Reply
  32. Dr. Childs, your blog is totally helpful….I did buy all these supplements but I have not used any of them because I’m doubtful since I don’t know how to read my blood test. And, I still can’t find a doctor who can explain all my blood test….my doctor is usually helpful, but short and keeps telling me all my test have not changed or are fine….I am never sure what that means.
    These are my particulars for 2017:
    High Sensitivity TSH 3.290
    Free T4 0.96
    Free T3 2.7
    Ferritin 18.6
    Hb A1C 5.5
    Magnesium 1.9
    TRF %Sat 13
    Cholesterol 222
    Triglyceride 239
    HDL/Chol Perc 19.4
    LDL Calc 131
    Vitamin B12 1177
    Vitamin D 25-OH 15.6
    Thyroglobulin AB 429
    SGPT (ALT) 46
    ANION GAP 19

    I’m a 45 yr old female at 177lbs and I just feel like I’m losing my mind with this HASHIMOTO’s thing…..I am so scared of what all this really means to me….what I do know is I’m afraid to eat, I am always tired and the tipping point came when I didn’t recognize my own daughter for a good 15 secs…I literally didn’t know who she was but I recognized the face….I really want to understand these blood tests so that maybe I can help myself better until I find the right doctor.

    –KYAS.

    Reply
    • Hi KYAS,

      The single best thing you can do is find someone willing to work with you and listen to you and evaluate your lab tests in conjunction with your symptoms. A bunch of lab tests by themselves are relatively useless without accompanying symptoms and a full history.

      Reply
    • Kyas,
      I’m a layperson like yourself and had to educate myself to understand what thyroid disease is all about. Most doctors never identify the problem so they never solve the problem.
      They only treat people’s symptoms so no one is ever healed.
      If you want to be well, you need to do your homework.
      Please read Suzy Cohen’s book entitled Thyroid Healthy, Lose Weight, Look Beautiful and Live the Life You Imagine. It runs about $16. It will give you a basic understanding of what normal thyroid levels should be and what tests you need. Her website offers many free e-books and Hashimoto’s Diets with lots of recipes. Most of us are thyroid sick. Looking at your blood test, I can tell you that your Triglycerides are high. They measure the amount of sugar and carbs in the diet, not fat as previously thought. Too much sugar damages the brain. If your brain is unhealthy, so is your gut as they are related. You need to reduce your sugar and carb intake and start eating organic healthy fruits, vegetables, and grass fed meats/chicken etc. Do not use artificial sweetners as they are damaging to the brain also. If you eat the standard American diet, which is filled with genetically modified junk, chemicals, gluten, you will never be well. Go gluten free, no alcohol, and start eating clean. You are what you eat and can digest. Your TSH is high which indicates an autoimmune problem, your T4 (inactive hormone in blood which mostly goes to the brain) is empty, and your T3 (active hormone which evaluates your thyroid) is low so you have no energy. You probably need Cytomel prescribed. Anion Gap measures the acidity in your blood. You are eating mostly acidic foods so you are not balanced. You need more alkaline foods. Look at the range for each test provided by the lab to see where your value falls. SGPT or ALT measures liver enzymes. It tells of your Liver and Heart Function. Your value seems high to me but I don’t know what the standard range is for your test. Your Thyroglubulin Antibodies seem very high to me. It means your thyroid is under attack. Your cholesterol is find as most of your brain is cholesterol. Our bodies make cholesterol and it needs to get into trillions of cells. Don’t let anyone put you on cholesterol lowering drugs or you will get dimentia. You need to read up on thyroid disease, find a good doctor to start treating you, and change your diet.

      Reply
  33. Hello. I read your article and started two weeks ago on 50 mg on Zinc (split into twice daily at 25 each time), Selenium 200mg twice daily, a soil based probiotic once daily, a D3 5,000 IU’s once a day, B12 sublingual 2000mg once a day, I also take a regular womens multi vitamin. I have had some vaginal bleeding since starting. Its outside of my regular period and has been constant for about two weeks. I feel a lot better and I am finally dropping some weight but I was wondering if this is normal in women. I am also on 75 mcg of Levothyroxine and 10 mcg twice daily on liothyronine.

    Reply
  34. I have Hypothyroidism and gave been taking meds for 25 years now. 7 or so years ago, I was diagnosed with Sjogrens Syndrome. I suffer with joint pain everyday of my life along with extreme fatigue and no energy. I have a terrible problem with hair loss and my hair is very sorry, brittle and very dry. What are your suggestions for these symptoms? Thank you

    Reply
  35. Hello, I am glad I stumbled on to your site.I had my thyroid removed a year ago because I had a tumor. They tested me every month for about 4 months, they are now testing me around 6 months. I have been at the 150 level of levothyroxine since a month after removal. I don’t feel that it is working but the doctor said my labs are normal. They were normal even before they found the tumor. The only way they found it was I requested an ultrasound on my throat because my older sister had cancer on her thyroid. Which she said her labs were also normal and an ultrasound was how they found it. So I was wondering if you recommend the same supplements for me as well?

    Reply
  36. I found your artical very informative. I’ve had a low thyroid condition for 45 years. I have been very low to the high normal. It’s been up and down. In summer its normal to higher and come fall it drops. My dosages have ranged from 300 mcg to 750. I’ve been on a number of different thyroid medications. It wasn’t till 2 weeks ago that I came across an artical on Adrenal Gland. So I’m now studying about that and how to heal it. But I will take all you have said and apply it to what I already know and am doing and hoping I will have a better winter this year.
    As a last comment all you have reported is right on. For those that can’t lose weight maybe suggest getting checked for Celica disease.

    Reply
  37. Helllo Dr Childs. Above you mention that “In my patients I prefer and recommend soil based organisms.” However the probiotic supplement that you recommend doesn’t seem to be soil-based. Can you explain a little more? Thank you for your help.

    Reply
    • Hi Johanna,

      I’ve changed some of my recommendations and will update this post to reflect those changes in 2018. The supplement I recommend is correct but the reason/logic hasn’t been updated yet.

      Reply
  38. I was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism a year and a half ago. I started on Nature Throid and immediately felt better. I am a very active mom and a runner and was so thankful to finally have my energy back. However, the issue of hair loss that I already had worsened considerably. In fact, it comes out in wads in the shower and is all over my clothes throughout the day. I am suffering from anxiety and even starting to feel depressed from this now. I have never been a depressed person in my life. I am 47 and definitely approaching menopause. My NP put me on a testosterone cream and recently a projesterone cream. (My testosterone was a 12). She indicated my vitamin D was 68 and my B-12 level was excellent. I supplement with both. However, my ferritin was at 20. The last bloodwork also showed my TSH at 2.57 and my Free T3 at 2.4. She said my T3 is too low and wants to increase my NDT. My only concern is the major hair loss I am experiencing and it worsening. I don’t know what to do. Do you have any advice?

    Thank you!

    Gloria

    Reply
  39. I have a friend with Hypo who takes Bladderwrack daily as well as her thyroid meds and feels ten times better than when she was just taking the tyroid meds alone. I have been trying to do some research to see if there is any science behind it, but a lot of what I read says not to pair the two. I’m looking for something to pair with my Synthroid (just boosted to 75mcg/day) to help me feel better. No energy, constipation, headaches, and dry skin are my main complaints.
    thank you!!

    Reply
  40. I had my thyroid removed 2 years ago. I take 125 of synthroid and feel horrible. I’ve been to 3 different doctors to tell them I feel horrible but they all want to give me an anti-depressent. I’m tired, I can’t loose weight, my joints and muscles hurt all the time and the list goes on. My thyroid was so large I had a hard time swallowing do they removed it. My Gerd is once again back. I’m at my wit’s end. No one tells me nothing. Is this as good as it gets?

    Reply
  41. Hi Dr. Child’s,

    I have severe leg cramps and am wondering if this could be related to Hashimotos? If so, what do you recommend I do?

    Regards,
    Millie

    Reply
  42. Hi! I have hypothyroidism and most likely hashi’s due to my antibodies being high on my last BT. On doing research I also think I have adrenal fatigue due to continued wearyness and acheyness especially in armpits and legs on a regular basis.I am using Thyroid-S and my T4/T3 are in range and my TSH low. I am considering Ashwagandha but confused about all the conflicting information on whether it is advisable with hashi’s. I do not want to worsen my condition, however, it sounds good if it works. I take a multivit with iron, selenium and magnesium. Do you think Ashwagandha would help? I am sick of feeling like I am wading through treacle.

    Reply
  43. Had a total thyroidectomy 5 years ago. I’m on Synthroid 125 and feel great. Weight is an issue but I’m 63 and female work out and do Keto. I eat Brazil nuts for selenium. Would this supplement benefit me?

    Reply
    • Hi Kim,

      This article contains a list of several different supplements, but the answer is that they will most likely help you even if you are eating Brazil Nuts.

      Reply
  44. Hi, I have dealt with hypothyroidism diagnosed over 30 years ago now and only have treated with Synthroid or in more recent years levothyroxine. I am now interested in supplements and possibly switching to a more natural thyroid medication, so weighing all this great info. My weight has climbed slowly over these many years, but recently with probable menopause starting, it has gotten to the highest point ever, resulting in my recent research. My biggest question so far is about gut health. I used to be constipated a lot in my younger days, but in recent years, it seems to be the opposite, mostly loose and occasionally IBS. I am NEVER constipated anymore. What is likely the cause of this? I didn’t see much info on here, other than the recommendation about using GI Revive for leaky gut/intestinal permeability. My doctor said she wasn’t concerned as long as it wasn’t diarrhea, but my suspicion is that I’m not processing nutrients sufficiently. P.S. I also have had alopecia universalis all of my adult life (autoimmune-related), and recently have struggled with low iron and fatigue. Any suggestions?

    Reply
  45. Thank you for taking the time to write all of this. Sometimes I get lost reading your blogs, and actually enjoy learning more about the nitty-gritty of the thyroid and treatments. I’m building up my probiotics in my gut before going for the gut bomb. But, looking forward to it.

    Reply
  46. Dr. Childs
    I was diagnosed with Hashimotos back in 2016. my question is how often should one get an antibodies test once diagnosed. In march of this year I began to have the same symptoms as when I was first diagnosed. my GP only test my TSH which she did 3 years prior to being diagnosed. I am currently on Levothyroxine 75Mcg
    I love the article thank you for the information.

    Reply
    • Hi Carol,

      I check them every 3-6 months on average. It’s a good idea to keep tabs on them as you change up your therapies and try new things.

      Reply
  47. Excellent article ! I was just diagnosed w hashimotos and recently bought your complete supplement. Does your supplement include all the above that you recommend for hashimotos? Thankyou

    Reply
  48. Hi Dr. CHILDS
    Thank you for great and useful info. I’m trying to learn and understand, because my doctors won’t explain.
    For now my T3,T4 and TSH are in normal range (used to have hyperthyroidism). Not been medicated and just supplemented myself with zinc and selenium every day for the past few years. Still have my antibodies high in 132.4.

    Reply
    • Hi Norbert,

      Grape seed extract is still beneficial but my experience suggests that pycnogenol is superior for the immune aspect of Hashimoto’s.

      Reply
  49. Dr. Childs I have just had my thyroid and parathyroid glands removed because of large nodules on the thyroid. Which TWO supplements do you recommend . I cannot afford more than two. I am Canadian and my friend in Florida would order them for me. I am presently on synthroid. I am experiencing painful muscle spasms several times a day and during the night. I have extreme fatigue.

    Reply
    • Hi B B,

      I haven’t done research on whether or not omegas from plant sources are equal to those from animal sources in terms of benefits. I would assume that they are likely similar in their effects but I would need to confirm with research before I could definitely give an answer on that.

      Reply
  50. Hello! I was told by my endocrinologist not to take ashwaghanda , sorry if I spelled it wrong, due to the fact that it stimulates the immune system and with Hashimoto our immune system is already in high gear and that it could create more symptoms. Is this not true? Would love to take it if I could.

    Reply

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