This article was co-authored by Zora Degrandpre, ND. Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
There are 23 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Your thyroid is a gland in your neck that produces hormones to regulate many of your body’s basic functions. While it usually works fine, sometimes the thyroid can be over or underactive, leading to many different symptoms like irregular heartbeat, anxiety, unexpected weight gain or loss, fatigue, sweating, and sleeping problems.[1] Fortunately, doctors can treat thyroid problems with hormone therapy and some medications to correct a malfunctioning thyroid like beta blockers. For the most part, there isn’t much you can do on your own to treat your thyroid, so see your doctor if you suspect that you have a thyroid issue. If you do, then follow the doctor’s instructions for the best treatment. In the meantime, there are a few steps you can take in your everyday life to support your treatment and keep your health strong.
Steps
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism means that your thyroid is underactive and doesn't produce enough hormones to regulate your body functions. The main symptoms are fatigue, weight-gain, slow heart rate, muscle aches, and constipation.[2] A few things can cause an underactive thyroid, and you need to see your doctor for the right treatment. You can also take a few natural steps from home.
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1Take synthetic hormones to boost your thyroid activity. The most common conventional treatment for hypothyroidism is a synthetic hormone, levothyroxine, taken orally. This hormone corrects the effects of hypothyroidism and should boost your thyroid activity. Taken correctly, this medication should treat your condition effectively.[3]
- It might take some trial and error for your doctor to find the right levothyroxine dose for you. Be ready for a blood test every few weeks to check your levels. Your doctor might adjust your dose up or down, depending on the results.
- The most common side effects of this medication are increased appetite, insomnia, heart palpitations, and shakiness.
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2Boost your iodine intake if you have a deficiency. In some cases, an iodine deficiency can trigger hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. Your doctor can confirm whether or not you're getting enough iodine with a blood test. Try to get 150 mcg per day in your regular diet to maintain normal thyroid function.[4]
- Most people get all the iodine they need from iodized salt. You can also get it from seafood, seaweed and kelp, and dairy products.[5]
- Don't use iodine supplements unless your doctor tells you to. If you’re not careful, you could take too much and trigger other thyroid problems.[6]
- Iodine deficiency is very rare. It usually only happens in developing countries that don’t have access to iodine-containing foods.
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3Cut soy out of your diet to support your treatment. High levels of soy can prevent your body from fully absorbing your hormone treatments and they’ll be less effective. If you regularly eat or drink soy products, then take them out of your diet so you get the full benefits from your treatment.[7]
- If you only have soy occasionally, ask your doctor if that’s okay. It’s usually only a problem in high doses.
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4Avoid eating raw cabbage so you absorb as much iodine as possible. While cabbage is good for you, it could prevent your body from absorbing iodine.This is a problem if you have an iodine deficiency, so avoid cabbage and allow your body to absorb iodine.[8]
- Other cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, or cauliflower could also be a problem, but don't make big dietary changes without asking your doctor first. Otherwise, you could end up with vitamin deficiencies.
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5Try ashwaganda supplements to regulate your thyroid. A small study found that ashwaganda supplements boosted thyroid function, so it may help with hypothyroidism. Try taking 500 mg per day for 2 months to see if this improves your thyroid function.[9]
- Some products might have a different suggested dosage, so always follow the dosing directions provided.
- Always ask your doctor before taking herbal supplements, especially if you're already on medication.
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6See if zinc supplements improve your condition. Zinc may also boost thyroid function if you have hypothyroidism. Try taking 30 mg of zinc per day for 12 weeks to see if your condition improves.[10]
- Overdosing on zinc could cause constipation and other intestinal problems, so follow the dosing instructions and ask your doctor if taking zinc is safe for you.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism means that your thyroid is overactive and producing too many hormones. Symptoms of this condition include rapid heart rate, unexpected weight loss, sweating, anxiety, and insomnia.[11] Like with hypothyroidism, you usually need medication to correct an overactive thyroid, so see your doctor for the right treatment. Afterward, you can try these home treatments.
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1Take prescription medication to decrease your thyroid activity. There is no universal treatment for hyperthyroidism, and the one your doctor chooses depends on your age, health, and condition. These are some of the medications your doctor might use:[12]
- Radioactive iodine to shrink your thyroid and stop it from overreacting.
- Anti-thyroid medications like Tapazole to stop your thyroid from producing too many hormones.
- Beta-blockers to treat the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. These usually don't cure the condition but alleviate its effects.
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2Reduce your iodine intake. Unlike with hypothyroidism, too much iodine could trigger an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism.[13] This could happen if you regularly consume more than 900-1,100 mcg of iodine each day, causing your thyroid to overreact. Avoid foods that are high in iodine to help treat an overactive thyroid.[14]
- Avoid iodized salt, seafood, and seaweed and kelp. Check other food items for their iodine content so you don’t eat too much.
- Hyperthyroidism from too much iodine is very rare. More often, a hormone imbalance in your body is to blame.
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3Eat raw cabbage to prevent iodine absorption. Cabbage can block your body from absorbing iodine, which could be helpful if you have hyperthyroidism. Try adding a cabbage serving to your daily diet to prevent your body from absorbing too much iodine.[15]
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4Boost the calcium in your diet if you have a deficiency. People with hyperthyroidism often have a calcium deficiency, which could cause brittle bones and osteoporosis. Increase your calcium intake with dietary supplements or by eating more dairy, leafy green vegetables, and small fish like sardines.[16]
- In general, adults need 1,000-2,000 mg of calcium each day. You can get this from supplements or your regular diet.
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5Protect your eyes if you have Graves' disease. Almost all hyperthyroidism cases are caused by Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder. The disease is manageable, but can attack your eyes. Take steps every day to preserve your vision and eye health.[17]
- Keep your eyes lubricated with artificial tears or prescription eye drops.
A Thyroid-Healthy Diet
While food has a big impact on how your body works, dietary changes alone won’t fix thyroid problems. However, following the right diet can keep your health up and prevent further thyroid problems. Also, your diet could impact your thyroid medication, so avoid foods that could prevent them from working properly. The right diet should support your treatment and help your thyroid return to normal.
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1Follow a healthy, balanced diet. While there isn’t a specific diet that will cure your thyroid issues, a generally healthy diet can support the gland and improve your overall health. Include at least 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-wheat products, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products each day. This will provide all the nutrition you need and could regulate your thyroid function.[18]
- A balanced diet should provide all of the vitamins and nutrients you need. Only use supplements if your doctor tells you to.
- Also try to avoid unhealthy items like processed, fried, sugary, and fatty foods.
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2Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day. Getting plenty of fluids is part of a healthy diet as well. Make sure to drink 6-8 glasses each day so you stay hydrated.[19]
- Different people might need different amounts of water, so this number is just a guideline. If you feel thirsty or your urine is dark yellow, then drink more water.
- Try to drink plain water instead of juices or soda, which contain a lot of sugar. If you want some extra flavor, try adding fruit to a glass of water.
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3Boost your selenium intake. Selenium is an important nutrient that can prevent both and over and underactive thyroid.[20] The recommended intake is 55 mcg per day. You can get this from supplements or increase the amount of selenium-rich foods in your diet.[21]
- Foods with selenium include Brazil nuts, fish and shellfish, organ meats, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.
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4Leave 4 hours between taking your medications and eating calcium. Calcium can also prevent your body from absorbing medications properly. If you’re on any medication for your thyroid, leave at least 4 hours between taking your medicine and consuming calcium. This includes calcium-rich foods like milk and any calcium supplements you might take.[22]
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5Avoid using celery extract as a natural cure. This is a natural remedy that some people use regularly for weight loss. However, some studies show that too much celery extract could trigger an allergic reaction in your thyroid and throw off its function. If you have a thyroid issue and use celery extract, then stop using it to see if that helps.[23]
Lifestyle Changes
Like with dietary changes, lifestyle tips won’t cure your thyroid on their own. These changes can support your treatment and help you get back to normal. Along with taking medication and following the right diet, some lifestyle tips can be a big part of your recovery.
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1Exercise regularly to stay in good health. Some thyroid conditions can make you gain weight, so staying active is important. This can also boost your energy levels, which is helpful if you have hypothyroidism.> The official recommendation is to get 150 minutes of exercise per week, so try to do some physical activity each day to reach that goal.[24]
- Aerobic exercise is helpful if you have hypothyroidism. It will help you keep your weight down and your energy up.
- If you have Grave’s disease, a condition that can cause hyperthyroidism, then do weight-bearing exercises to keep your bone density up.
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2Reduce stress to regulate your thyroid. Stress can affect your body in many ways, including causing an over or underactive thyroid. If you regularly feel stressed, then try to take some steps to relax. This can have great benefits for your overall health.[25]
- Try some relaxation exercises like meditation or deep breathing. Even 15-20 minutes each day could make you feel much better.
- Making time for your hobbies is another great way to relieve stress.
- Stress is also a major risk factor for Grave’s disease, which could trigger an overactive thyroid.
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3Drink alcohol in moderation. Heavy drinking can prevent your thyroid from working properly, and could also interact with thyroid medications. If you drink, stick to an average of 1-2 drinks per day so you don’t overdo it.[26]
- If you have any liver or health problems from drinking, then it’s best to quit altogether.
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4Quit smoking or don’t start in the first place. Smoking can interfere with your thyroid and set you up for other health problems as well. It’s best to quit as soon as possible. If you don’t currently smoke, then don’t start in the first place.[27]
- Secondhand smoke can also cause health problems, so don’t let anyone smoke in your home either.
Medical Takeaways
Thyroid problems are treatable, but you need the proper medical care to overcome them. Hormone treatment and medications are the best options, and they usually bring your thyroid function back to normal. While there are no proven natural treatments to cure your thyroid, some dietary and lifestyle steps can help with your recovery. These healthy changes, paired with medication, can solve your thyroid problems.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionIs a thyroid disorder an incurable disease?
Zora Degrandpre, NDDr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
Natural Health DoctorIt depends on the specific thyroid disorder. Some types of thyroid disorders — especially if caught early enough, can be treated easily and the thyroid can normalize. Other thyroid disorders need life-long treatment, such as replacing thyroid hormones.
Warnings
- Don't make any major changes to your diet without asking your doctor first. You might not be getting all of the nutrients you need if you make sudden changes.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Don’t try to diagnose and treat a thyroid problem yourself. This isn’t something you can treat from home, and you need proper medical care to overcome it.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000356.htm
- ↑ https://www.thyroid.org/hypothyroidism/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350289
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/underactive-thyroid-hypothyroidism/causes/
- ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-Consumer/#h3
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/thyroid-issues-what-you-need-to-know-about-diet-and-supplements/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/thyroid-issues-what-you-need-to-know-about-diet-and-supplements/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/thyroid-issues-what-you-need-to-know-about-diet-and-supplements/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296437/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25758370/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/overactive-thyroid-hyperthyroidism/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperthyroidism/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373665
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000356.htm
- ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-Consumer/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/thyroid-issues-what-you-need-to-know-about-diet-and-supplements/
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/hyperthyroidism/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperthyroidism/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373665
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/healthy-eating-for-a-healthy-thyroid
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5805681/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5307254/
- ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/
- ↑ https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/hypothyroidism/morning-still-best-time-take-levothyroxine
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6528421/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/exercise/faq-20057916
- ↑ https://www.btf-thyroid.org/psychological-symptoms-and-thyroid-disorders
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3743356/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24549603/
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/medical-causes-of-sleep-problems.htm
About This Article
Your thyroid gland helps regulate your metabolism, heart rate, and growth development, so it’s vital that you support its function with proper diet, exercise, and rest. The thyroid depends on good nutrition to get the iodine, selenium, and vitamins it needs to function properly, so increase the vegetables, fruits, and legumes in your diet. You’ll also want to limit processed and pre-packaged foods as well as meat, which can add unnecessary sugars, hormones, and antibiotics to your diet. Another way to support your thyroid is to get plenty of exercise and rest, which can help balance your thyroid function. If you experience symptoms such as hair loss, dry skin, intolerance to cold, or unexplained weight gain, see your doctor to see if you have an underactive thyroid, which will require medication and monitoring. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to spot the symptoms of an overactive thyroid, keep reading!
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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