The Best Thyroid Supplements, According to RDs

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Thyroid Supplement

Supplements aren’t FDA regulated, so look for something that’s third-party tested. 

“This means an outside agency has independently tested the supplement for quality and safety and validates that the product contains the ingredients listed on its label,” says Andrews.

Third-party tested supplements will include a seal of approval from an organization like National Sanitation Federation (NSF), which tests ingredients in supplements for harmful levels of contaminants (24). This helps to ensure products are toxin-free and safe for consumers. 

How much should you take? “Most supplements should not exceed 100 percent of the RDA, but more of a supplement is sometimes needed when a deficiency exists,” says Andrews. Ask your doctor how much they suggest based on your nutrient levels.

Beyond that, seek out thyroid supplements from reputable brands, and if you follow a specific diet (vegan or gluten-free, for instance) or have any allergies (to items like soy, wheat, or dairy), be sure to analyze the label to find the best thyroid vitamin and mineral supplements for you.

Avoid supplements marketed as “Thyroid Support”

According to the American Thyroid Association (ATA), products marketed as combination “thyroid support” supplements are often marketed to promote weight loss or increase energy, however, many of these contain an amalgamation of vitamins, minerals, and sometimes herbs and other active ingredients in unknown or very large quantities (25). 

The thyroid relies on a delicate balance, and taking too much of some of these combo nutrients can actually cause hyperthyroidism, the ATA notes. Steer clear.

How Else Can You Support Your Thyroid Health?

Start with knowing your family history, since thyroid conditions are hereditary, Andrews says. 

Beyond that, the following lifestyle strategies have been shown to support thyroid health:

Avoid fad diets

“Fad diets often remove entire food groups, which raises the risk of excess or deficiencies in your nutritional intake, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber,” Andrews says. (This includes the potential for deficiencies in the aforementioned vitamins and minerals for the thyroid.)

Plus, research suggests that about 20 to 25 percent of fad diets might progress into full-blown eating disorders, which raise the risk of thyroid dysfunction (26, 27).

Don’t smoke and limit alcohol  

This means two (or fewer) drinks per day for men and one drink (or less) per day for women. Anything beyond that can affect TSH levels, research suggests (28). According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “one standard drink” equals: 12 ounces beer (5% alcohol by volume, or ABV), 5 ounces wine (12% ABV), or 1 ½ ounces spirits (40% ABV) or a cocktail made with that amount (29).

Smoking has been shown to decrease TSH and increase T3 and T4 (30).

Prioritize sleep

Poor sleep may disrupt circadian rhythm and thyroid function (31). Aim for 7-8 hours per night to help maintain a normal metabolism, says Andrews. 

Move your body

Regular exercise as well as mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation result in lower levels of the hormone cortisol; high levels of which have been linked to abdominal weight gain. Weight management plays a role in thyroid function (32, 33, 34). 

So, what’s happening inside your body when your thyroid is out of whack?

“Your thyroid works with your pituitary gland, which makes thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The small pituitary gland lives inside your brain and tells your thyroid to make and release hormones,” says Andrews. (For context, your thyroid also communicates with other glands and hormones in the body.)

If, for some reason, your thyroid becomes damaged, the production of thyroid hormones is impacted, she adds. “When TSH is off balance, too much or too little of various hormones are made, which results in changes in metabolism.”