Although the thyroid gland is tiny, it’s mighty. It plays a vital role in regulating weight, energy, body temperature and more. If you want to keep your thyroid gland in tip-top shape, check out the following nutrients.

In This Healthy Insight:

1. What Does the Thyroid Do?
2. What Are Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Problems
3. What’s Normal?
4. What Is the Best Natural Supplement for Thyroid?
5. 11 Naturally Supporting Ingredients to Look For
6. The Bottom Line

What Does the Thyroid Do?

You need a healthy thyroid because it…

• Drives the metabolic rate of every cell in your body. If it’s sluggish, it’s almost impossible to lose weight.
• Converts oxygen and calories into energy. With a lagging thyroid, you’ll feel zapped.
• Governs everything from energy to appetite, from body temperature to weight, from mood to hair and skin.
• Affects your heart, cholesterol, brain, digestion and muscles – all important for feeling your best.

As you can imagine, even a slightly unbalanced thyroid can lead to serious health issues. But the good news is that there are natural supplements that support a healthy thyroid.

What Are Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Problems

• Fatigue
• Increased heart rate
• Sensitivity to heat or cold
• Slowed heart rate
• Abnormal weight gain or loss

What’s a Normal Thyroid Level?

There’s primarily 4 tests used to determine thyroid levels that you can consult on with your physician: TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), FT4 (Free T4), T3 Test (Triiodothyronine Levels), T4 Test (Thyroxine Levels).

According to the UCLA Health Organization:

• TSH normal values are 0.5 to 5.0 mIU/L
• FT4 normal values are 0.7 to 1.9ng/dL.
• A normal Total T3 level in adults ranges from 80-220 ng/dL.
• A normal Total T4 level in adults ranges from 5.0 to 12.0μg/dL.

What Is the Best Natural Supplement for Thyroid?

You may know that the thyroid is a little gland shaped like a butterfly that’s found in the lower part of your neck. It weighs only one ounce and secretes only one teaspoon of thyroid hormone in an entire year. But don’t let its tiny size or productivity fool you. It’s got a big job.

11 Naturally Supporting Ingredients to Look For

• Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)
• B-Vitamins
• Copper
• Iodine
• L-Tyrosine
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Panax Ginseng Extract
• Schisandra chinensis
• Selenium
• Zinc

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

Acts as an adaptogen—a substance that helps balance hormone excesses or deficits by boosting the efficiency of the sites where hormones bind with cells. Used in Ayurvedic medicine to help resolve adrenal and thyroid hormone imbalances, ashwagandha allows the body to better cope with stress.

Works to stimulate thyroidal activity and delivers antioxidants to combat free radicals.

Recommended Dose: 600 mg per day

B-Vitamins

Involved in several processes including thyroid function, hormone regulation, and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. In addition, they boost energy, ease stress and fight fatigue.

Copper

This mineral combines with certain proteins to help a number of body functions, including energy.

Iodine

Essential for healthy thyroid function, yet with the reduction in salt intake, it’s estimated that millions of Americans are lacking it. Iodine is required for normal thyroid hormone synthesis, function and metabolism.¹ Food sources include milk, cheese, poultry, and kelp.

Keep iodine levels in check to ensure steady thyroid hormone production. Deficiency, though uncommon in the U.S., can lead to thyroid issues. If you aren’t getting enough through diet (iodine is found in table salt, dairy products, seafood, meat, some bread, eggs, and local produce) be sure it’s in your multivitamin.

Recommended Dose: 150 mcg (220 mcg daily for pregnant women, 290 mcg daily for breast-feeding women).

L-Tyrosine

This amino acid plays a role in thyroid hormone production and conversion while also helping to boost mental and physical stamina.

Magnesium

The fourth most abundant mineral in the human body, magnesium is involved in bone and mineral metabolism.

Manganese

Manganese is involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.

Panax Ginseng Extract

Supports healthy T3 and T4 levels already in the normal range and also encourages mental alertness, strength and stamina.

Schisandra Chinensis

Fosters adrenal health and promotes hormonal balance, fosters energy, healthy metabolism and mental performance. Schisandra also combats environmental, physical and mental stress.

Selenium

Found naturally in meat, fish, Brazil nuts, grain products, and mushrooms, the mineral selenium helps with both production of T4 thyroid hormone (thyroxine) in the thyroid gland and its conversion to the active form of T3 (thyronine). The thyroid gland has one of the body’s highest concentrations of selenium. Studies have shown that blood levels of selenium decrease with age and digestive conditions may also cause deficiency, so make sure you’re getting enough of this important mineral.

Supports efficient thyroid synthesis and metabolism and promotes healthy skin and hair. Inadequate supply of selenium and iodine alters thyroid hormone metabolism which can create an environment for thyroid issues.²

Recommended Dose: 200–300 mcg daily. Do not exceed 400 mcg daily without guidance from your physician.

Zinc

Necessary for proper function of more than 300 enzymes, this mineral helps the body convert the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3), an important process for maintaining steady thyroid function.

Essential for healthy thyroid function, hormone levels and metabolism. In addition to selenium, zinc plays a role in the conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 to T3.

Recommended Dose: 40 mg for low thyroid